Xinhua
01 Jun 2026, 06:15 GMT+10
BERLIN, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Deniz Undav scored twice and set up another goal as Germany completed its final home preparation for the World Cup with a controlled 4-0 win over Finland in Mainz on Sunday.
Julian Nagelsmann used the friendly against the 73rd-ranked side in the FIFA ranking to test possible starters 14 days before Germany opens its tournament in Houston against Curacao.
Lennart Karl made his first start for the national team on the right wing, becoming Germany's third-youngest post-war starter behind Youssoufa Moukoko and Uwe Seeler. Nathaniel Brown was preferred to David Raum at left-back, while Undav replaced the absent Kai Havertz.
Germany dominated possession from the outset but found little space against a Finland side defending deep around their penalty area. Lukas Hradecky kept out Undav's early first-time effort after Brown's pass, then narrowed the angle when the striker broke through again in the 27th minute.
The breakthrough came seven minutes later from a short corner. Karl and Joshua Kimmich worked the ball quickly, Aleksandar Pavlovic missed it in the middle and Undav, left free, headed into the left corner.
Brown nearly added a second before the interval, but Germany had to wait until the 48th minute. Hradecky's throw led Finland into trouble. Undav won the ball and immediately found Florian Wirtz, who lifted in the finish.
Undav struck again in the 57th minute after Felix Nmecha recovered possession and Karl released him with a pass in behind. The Stuttgart striker finished calmly, although a challenge from Tony Miettinen left him unable to continue.
Germany kept attacking without Undav, as Karl lost the ball during a dribble, but Pavlovic reacted first and fed Jamal Musiala, who drove in the fourth from 12 meters in the 63rd minute.
Finland, who missed World Cup qualification after finishing third in Group G behind the Netherlands and Poland, offered only a half-chance through Leo Walta. Germany travels to Chicago before a final test against the United States.
"Ten out of ten, it was a good evening. The most important thing is that we won the game. I had three goal involvements, so it could not have gone much better. All I can do is try to do my job, and I certainly did that today," Undav said.
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