Germany rounded off their home preparations for the 2026 World Cup with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Finland in Mainz. Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav was the star of the show, scoring twice and providing an assist in a dominant display.

Head coach Julian Nagelsmann praised his side: "We can keep going like this. One of our strengths is that we always look like we can score." Undav, who was publicly dismissed by Nagelsmann in March despite scoring the winner in a previous match, has once again made a strong case for a starting spot.

Jamal Musiala scored his first goal since returning from a long injury layoff, boosting his confidence. Bayern Munich teenager Lennart Karl impressed but hit the post, while Nathaniel Brown delivered a solid performance at left-back, giving Nagelsmann selection headaches.

However, history suggests caution. Before Euro 2024, Germany narrowly beat Greece in an unconvincing display, yet performed brilliantly at the tournament. Conversely, a narrow win over Oman before the 2022 World Cup preceded a group-stage exit. Thus, this victory may not be a reliable indicator of future success.

Undav's impact continues to grow. Nagelsmann admitted: "If you score two goals and provide an assist, you don't play yourself out of the team." With Kai Havertz still the preferred starter, Undav's form off the bench is a valuable asset. Germany now travel to Chicago for a final friendly against the USA before their World Cup opener against Curacao.

Source: www.dw.com