Two draws to close out the international break for Hofmann, Ngoumou and Koné

The Germany national team and Jonas Hofmann could not be separated in their 3-3 draw with England in the Nations League. Nathan Ngoumou and Manu Koné also drew with France U21s against Belgium.

Jonas Hofmann and Germany finished their Nations League campaign in third place. Hansi Flick’s side earned a point against England at Wembley in the final game. Hofmann started the game but was taken off at half time, with the first half a low-scoring and uneventful affair. That changed drastically following the substitutions being made: first, Ilkay Gündogan scored from the penalty spot to give Germany the lead (52’), a good fifteen minutes later Kai Havertz scored a fantastic curler into the top corner to make it 2-0 (67’).

Hofmann: “There are things we have to be better at doing”

The “Three Lions” turned the game around after this thanks to goals from Luke Shaw (72’) and Mason Mount (75’) and even finally went into the lead: Harry Kane converted a penalty (83’). Germany came back once more, however, and managed to get the equaliser just before the final whistle, again through Kai Havertz (87’).

“It was a good test and we can take away lots of positives from it. There are also things that we have to be better at doing. We will work on those elements,” said Hofmann following the game. For Germany, they have one more friendly against Oman on Wednesday 16^th November. It will be the final rehearsal ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. Germany will face Japan, Spain and Costa Rica in the group stage there.

Koné and Ngoumou substituted for France U21s

In the international friendly against Belgium U21s, France U21s came away with a draw from Monday’s game. Manu Koné (59’ for Maxence Caqueret) was substituted just like Nathan Ngoumou (68’ for Amine Gouiri). Before that, the visitors had taken the lead through Largie Ramazan (41’), this opener was cancelled out shortly after the break by Tanguy Nianzou. For the rest of the game, it was Belgium who set the tone of the game – Yari Verschaeren put them ahead in the 58^th minute. Elye Wahi levelled in the 77^th minute, however. The next test for France U21s is scheduled for the 18^th November, where they will face Portugal. There are precisely nine months until the start of the U21 European Championships.