Euro 2020: France edge past Germany in heavyweight clash

WORLD champions France kicked off their European Championship campaign with a 1-0 victory over Germany in Munich on Tuesday night.

Mats Hummels scored an own goal in the heavyweight Group F match at a half-filled Allianz Arena.

Borussia Dortmund defender Hummels diverted Lucas Hernandez’s cross into his own net in the 20th minute after a sublime ball from Paul Pogba had played the full-back in.

In what is only the 12th game at Euro 2020, Hummels’ own goal is already the third one after Turkey’s Merih Demiral and Poland’s Wojciech Szczesny. It is already the joint-most at any European Championships tournament (also three at EURO 2016).

France, who are one of the favourites to win the tournament, had to hold on in the end as the Germans exerted pressure.

France had the better opportunities in the first half, with Pogba – voted man of the match – sending the ball over the bar from a corner with his shoulder, Kylian Mbappe having a shot saved, as well as Karim Benzema having a goal ruled out for offside.

Germany made some tactical tweaks and personnel changes in the second half, and they made the game more of a contest.

Thomas Muller headed a good chance wide, Ilkay Gundogan struck a shot past the post from a good position in the box and Serge Gnabry saw a shot deflected on to the roof of the net.

With the win, France join Portugal on three points in Group F, while Germany and Hungary are pointless.