Germany U19 5-6 Spain U19: Germany’s chaotic tournament came to an end | OneFootball

Germany only had four outfield players on the bench. Elias Decker, Charles Herrmann and Noah Darvich were all unavailable due to injuries, while Kjell Wätjen’s yellow card against Norway after he was subbed off resulted in his suspension.

Similarly, Hanno Balitsch wasn’t able to lead the team from the dugout after two yellow cards in the group stage. Pascal Pellowski, who is also Director of football at Darmstadt, led the team in his absence. Germany had to settle for less possession, but they had the game’s first clear-cut chances before a cooling break.

Paris Brunner’s deflected shot was only denied by the crossbar before the right-back Taylan Bulut also came close with a brilliant effort. The signals were there, and they succeeded in their third opportunity.

Max Moerstedt converted Said El Mala’s precise ball right after the restart from the cooling break at the Arcul de Triumf Stadium. Although he blasted a shot from a promising position to go out for Spain’s throw-in moments later, El Mala has been Germany’s undisputed best player in the tournament.

In contrast, Konstantin Heide had a poor game in the 5-5 draw with England, but he kept Germany in the lead here with a penalty-kick save from Antonio Cordero. Unterhaching’s goalkeeper followed it up with a good save from Omar Janneh’s curler as Germany held on to their slender lead at the break.

They even had a chance to go two in front when Assan Ouédraogo nearly got into a shooting position after a spectacular dribble. The RB Leipzig midfielder earns a first start after his stunning goal kickstarted Germany’s comeback win against Norway.

Spain created the first chance of the second-half when Óscar Marcos failed to keep his attempt on target from a promising position. Considering their improved showing since the last ten minutes of the first-half, the only surprise in Spain’s equalizing goal was how it came.

Paulo Garcia, who won the penalty in the first-half after Winners Osawe’s reckless foul, scored from a direct corner-kick in the hour mark. Shortly after conceding the Olimpico, Heide needed medical attention from Germany’s physios.

Spain’s confidence grew after their goal, and they nearly scored from another set-piece play. From Andrés Cuenca’s corner-kick delivery, Heide made a crucial touch to Jon Martin’s scruffed shot that rebounded off the woodwork. However, one man hasn’t read the script.

El Mala tested Raúl Jiménez with a good hit before scoring moments later with another well-hit strike. The 1. FC Köln winger is a real candidate for the Player of the Tournament after five direct goal involvements in four games.

Spain played some good football after that, but corner-kick.was once again their route to get back in the game. Martin’s initial attempt was blocked, but Garcia was on hand to score his second goal of the night.

Extra-time beckons, but Spain seemingly finished the task with yet another injury-time goal. Substitute Quim Junyent, who scored a hat-trick in the last game against Montenegro, sets up Garcia’s third goal.

Yet, that’s not the end of it. A comical sequence of mistakes by Spain’s defense forced an extra-time in the 99th minute. El Mala’s free-kick delivery looked harmless, but the goalkeeper Jiménez slipped trying to come out of his box to handle it. And, with no German player around him, Cuenca somehow kicked the ball into his net.

Half of the goals were scored in injury-time, and Germany U19 are now on top after a lucky break that saved them from elimination in regular time. However, Spain recovered from a tough start to the extra-time to take the lead once again thanks to the brilliance of Garcia.

His free-kick was denied by the post, but Tommy Marqués was in the right place to score the rebound. Another substitute, Jan Virgili, nearly followed it up with Spain’s fifth goal, but Heide made a decent stop.

By now, the script is clearly out of hand, and Germany tied the game in the 104th minute. El Mala was once again at the thick of things as Spain’s defense scrambled to clear his delivery, which led to a simple finish by Moerstedt.

The Hoffenheim striker completed his hat-trick with a devastating finish after a brilliant assist by Jarzinho Malanga at the start of the second-half of extra-time. The craziness of the game continues as Virgili smashed the crossbar with a brilliant shot from outside the box.

And, at the third time of asking, Virgili finally found the net with a solo strike in a move that started from the touchline. A second 5-5 scoreline for Germany U19 at the Arcul de Triumf Stadium? Of course, not.

Virgili and Garcia combined well to put Spain U19 in front for the third time. Garcia stole the show with four goals, while Virgili made a telling impact as a substitute. Meanwhile, Germany 19 lacked that option because of the absentees, and their tournament came to an end here.

Record champions Spain will play the winner of the Netherlands and Romania on Thursday at Rapid-Giulești Stadium.