A calamitous own goal from Mats Hummels gave world champion, France, a 1-0 victory over Germany in the Euro 2020 opener at the Allianz Arena.
Hummels, recalled by German boss Joachim Low for the tournament following a two-year absence, sliced Lucas Hernandez’s cross into his own net (20) to give favourites France, runners-up at the last Euros, a winning start in Group F.
The eagerly-anticipated encounter proved an absorbing affair, although a little cagier than many have expected, with clear scoring opportunities at a premium after the own goal.
Serge Gnabry went closest for Germany, sending a looping volley narrowly over the bar from a Robin Gosens cross, while France bolstered its rank by the return of Karim Benzema, who started up front, struck the post through midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
Didier Deschamps’ side also saw two goals ruled out for offside in the second half; a superb curling finish from Kylian Mbappe and a close-range strike from Benzema following a counter-attack.
Ultimately, though, Hummels’ own goal proved sufficient for France, whose accomplished performance, which featured fine individual displays from Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, offered a reminder of why they are so heavily fancied to go the distance.
The victory places France level on points with Portugal in Group F, following the holders’ 3-0 victory over Hungary earlier on Monday, and leaves Germany with work to do in its remaining games to secure a place in the knockout stages.
