Hofmann scores his first goal for Germany, Sommer saves penalty

Jonas Hofmann scored his first international goal in a 6-0 win over Armenia in World Cup qualifying. Meanwhile, Yann Sommer was the hero for Switzerland in their 0-0 draw with Italy.

Sunday evening was one that Jonas Hofmann won’t forget in a while. After just four substitute appearances to his name, he started for Germany for the first time against Armenia and also scored his first goal. “It was something I wanted to achieve in my career, and the fact that it has happened so fast (especially as I was playing right-back) is sensational,” said Borussia’s midfielder, who was employed on the right side of defence by new head coach Hansi Flick. “There he should provide us with impetus going forward, just as he does with his club,” Flick had said. Hofmann did not have any major problems adapting, but that was also due to a Germany side that totally overran the visitors as an attacking force.

Serge Gnabry (6’, 15’), Marco Reus (35’) and Timo Werner (44’) all scored before half time to make it 4-0 at the break. Hofmann then made it five. After a deflected corner, the ball bounced at the feet of the Borussia player who drove it into the bottom corner from outside the box. Hofmann could have had another, but saw his shot in the 62nd minute cleared off the line by Taron Voskanyan. Nevertheless, debutant Karim Adeyemi made it 6-0 in added time. “We pressed really well, and we wanted to play good football as a team. All in all, it was a huge improvement from the Liechtenstein game,” concluded Hofmann.

Sommer saves Jorginho’s penalty

It was also a memorable evening for Yann Sommer, who started for Switzerland along with Nico Elvedi against Italy, and Borussia’s number one was man of the hour in the WCQ clash. Time after time, he dealt with the European champions’ attacking threat, and helped the Swiss earn a 0-0 draw. “I’m really happy with the point. We put in a strong performance despite the tricky circumstances with players having to miss the game,” said the goalkeeper, who was repeatedly tested in the first half. He kept the scores level after two efforts from Domenico Berardi, and also saved a long-distance shot from Lorenzo Insigne. Then in added time in the first half he tipped a free kick from Insigne over the bar.

In the 51st minute, the referee decided to give a penalty to Italy after a foul by Ricardo Rodriguez on Berardi. Jorginho stepped up, Sommer faked to his right, before diving to his left and making the save. “I try to seem calm for penalties so that the taker doesn’t feel as confident. I tried to stay standing for as long as possible so as not to give him an opening,” said Sommer. In the closing stages he made another good save from Insigne, showing off his reflexes. Shortly after, substitute Denis Zakaria had one of Switzerland’s few chances, but saw his shot saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.