The German national soccer team completed the previously successful World Cup qualification with an 8-0 (3-0) thrashing of Bulgaria. Lea Schüller (35th/45th + 1/52nd minute), Laura Freigang (45th/64th/87th), Sydney Lohmann (54th) and Svenja Huth (81st) scored the penalty kick on Tuesday in Plovdiv Goals for the EM second. “We showed what we’re capable of. We never gave up and wanted to score goals until the end,” said Martina Voss-Tecklenburg. “There’s not much to complain about today.”
The national coach had rotated to eight positions compared to the 3-0 win in Turkey last Saturday, through which the DFB selection had bought their ticket for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand early. Only midfielder Linda Dallmann remained from Turkey’s starting XI. In an unusual 3-5-2 formation, the DFB selection experienced the gray everyday life again in front of almost empty ranks in the Lokomotiv Stadium after the EM frenzy and attendance records in England.
Almuth Schult was in goal for the first time in more than three years. “It’s a special moment for her to be on the pitch and to show that it’s possible to return to competitive sport as a mother,” Voss-Tecklenburg said before kick-off. The 31-year-old Schult has been the mother of twins since 2020. She lost her regular place to Merle Frohms after a shoulder operation following the 2019 World Cup and a baby break. When they came back after 1165 days, they remained almost unemployed, even in a completely different formation, the Germans were clearly superior.
However, the precision against a destructive opponent was initially lacking on the bumpy lawn. The first chance after 20 minutes was more of a coincidence. A cross from Jule Brand landed on the crossbar of the Bulgarian goal. After almost half an hour, Schüller was free to finish, but aimed too high at full speed. A little later, the “footballer of the year” broke the spell.
Before the break, Freigang and again Schüller followed suit. It was also the 24-year-old from second-placed Bayern Munich who continued to score goals after the change – and thus improved her dream quota to 30 goals in 43 international matches. After a good hour, Captain Alexandra Popp came in for them. Despite the clear lead, the German team didn’t let up in their attacking efforts until the end and rewarded themselves with more goals.
On the way to the World Cup (July 20 to August 20, 2023), the draw will now take place in Auckland on October 22. Then the planning of the preparation begins, in which to test against top opponents. The repeat of the European Championship semi-final against France is scheduled for October 7th in Dresden. A guest appearance with the world champions in the USA is planned for November.