Germany marched through to the quarter-final of UEFA Euro 2016 with a convincing 3-0 win over Slovakia. The reigning world champions had a steady yet dull start to the tournament, but Die Mannschaft finally announced their arrival with a comprehensive win courtesy of goals from Jerome Boateng, Mario Gomez and Julian Draxler.
In a lopsided affair, Joachim Low’s side opened the scoring in the 8th minute, when Boateng volleyed home the opener from the edge of the penalty box. It could have been two soon after when Gomez was fouled inside the box by Martin Skrtel, only for Mesut Ozil to have his tame penalty saved by Matús Kozácik.
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Mario Gomez then found the back of the net for the second consecutive game getting on the end of Draxler’s cross, who had made his way past the Slovakian defence. The Wolfsburg man then himself got on the scoresheet with a neat volley from around the six yards box. Germany will now face the winner of tonight’s game between Spain and Italy in the quarter-final.
Here is how the players fared during the game:
Germany
Manuel Neuer – 6.5/10
An assured display from the Bayern Munich man as Germany remain the only team to have not conceded a goal so far in the tournament. Pulled off a good save to deny Kucka.
Joshua Kimmich – 7/10
Kimmich retained his place in the starting XI ahead of Howedes and gave a good account of himself, especially threatening on the overlap.
Jerome Boateng – 7.5/10
Having recovered from a calf injury Boateng was a rock at the back and even scored a thunderous volley from the edge of the box to give his side the lead.
Mats Hummels – 7/10
The German defence were hardly troubled by the Slovenskí sokoli and Hummels didn’t have much work to do, but he was excellent if and when called into action.
Jonas Hector – 6.5/10
Put in some teasing crosses and was a menace on the overlap as Slovakia sat back to absorb Germany’s relentless pressure.
Sami Khedira – 6.5/10
A composed and authoritative display from the Juventus midfielder, who is forging a formidable partnership alongside Kroos in the middle of the park.
Toni Kroos – 7.5/10
A magnificent display from the Real Madrid midfielder, who bossed the midfield and orchestrated the game from deep.
Thomas Muller – 6/10
The Muller of Euros and the Muller of World Cups are two entirely different players. While the latter is a goal machine, the former’s goal scoring skills are unfounded when it comes to the continental tournament. For now, his European Championship drought continues.
Mesut Ozil – 5/10
Ozil has failed to shine so far at the Euros and the 27-year-old’s place in the size could be in jeopardy. He stepped up to take the penalty after Gomez was fouled, but saw his poor effort comfortably saved by the Slovakian shot-stopper. Another of his strike fizzed past the away post, but following that didn’t have much impact on the game.
Julian Draxler – 8/10
He provided a lovely assist for Gomez’s goal having tip-toed his way through the opposition defence, before scoring his side’s third to put the game to bed. A man-of-the-match performance from the Wolfsburg man.
Mario Gomez – 7/10
Gomez was a constant target for creative players in the side and produced a decent finish from Draxler’s cross. He also won the penalty, which Ozil failed to convert, but didn’t offer the mobility in attack that this German side needs.
Substitutes
Benedikt Höwedes – 6/10
Came on as 72nd-minute substitute for Boateng and helped his side preserve their clean sheet.
Lukas Podolski – N/A
Replaced Draxler in the 72nd minute and created a few problems for the opposition defence.
Bastian Schweinsteiger – N/A
Came on to replace Khedira in the 76th minute and didn’t have enough time to make a telling impact.
Slovakia
Matús Kozácik – 7.5/10
He made a string of impressive saves to keep the scoreline from getting embarrassing. He also made a brilliant save to stop Ozil’s penalty.
Peter Pekarík – 6/10
He was given a torrid time by Draxler on the right side and the 22-year-old danced his way around Pekarik to set up the second goal.
Martin Skrtel – 5.5/10
After his commendable performance in the game against England, Skrtel conceded a foolish penalty for pushing Gomez inside the box. The Liverpool defender would be thankful to his keeper for saving Ozil’s spot-kick. Although he did make a couple of important clearances during the game.
Jan Durica – 6/10
Tried his best to suffocate the German players for space, but in the end they proved too good for him.
Norbert Gyömbér – 5.5/10
Endured a difficult outing against Muller and Kimmich and was let down by his positioning.
Patrik Hrosovsky – 5/10
Despite Germany’s dominance in the middle of the park, Hrosovsky tried his best to make a mark on the game and make things happen for his side, but failed.
Milan Skriniar – 5.5/10
He was decent in possession, but Germany proved too superior an opposition for Skriniar to have a real impact on the game.
Marek Hamsik – 5.5/10
Failed to rise up to the occasion and lead his side’s fightback. He worked hard but failed to make the decisive impact.
Juraj Kucka – 6/10
He was denied by an excellent Neuer save and was his side’s most potent attacking threat.
Michal Duris – 4.5/10
Duris failed to record a single attempt in the 64 minutes he spent on the pitch as he was not afforded an iota of space by the German defence.
Vladimir Weiss – 4.5/10
After a dismal first 45 minutes, Weiss was replaced at the break by Gregus.
Substitutes
Jan Gregus – 5/10
Came on to replace Weiss at the break but cut a solitary figure for his entire duration on the pitch.
Stanislav Sestak – 4.5/10
He replaced Duris in the 64th minute, but didn’t have any impact on the game.
Kornel Salata – N/A
Replaced Gyomber in the 84th minute and didn’t have enough time to have an impact.
