“That was dark red, madness” – Brutal foul on German captain
Red card and penalty – brutal foul on Gündogan leads to preliminary decision
It was a brief moment of shock for the DFB team – followed by great jubilation: After a brutal foul on captain Ilkay Gündogan and the consequent red card, Kai Havertz converted the resulting penalty to decide the game.
A foul by the Scots decides the outcome of the opening match of the European Championship. The German captain is also a victim. After the attack on Ilkay Gündogan, Michael Ballack and Robin Gosens have clear words to say. The player himself speaks of luck.
DThe German captain remained lying on the ground. It was the 42nd minute of the opening match of the European Championship, and Ilkay Gündogan had just headed the ball towards the Scots goal, but goalkeeper Angus Gunn made a strong save and Kai Havertz was also unable to put the rebound into the net. The ball then landed at Gündogan’s feet again when Ryan Porteous cleared the ball with his right foot and rammed the second shot with his outstretched leg straight into his opponent’s ankle.
The German central midfielder could no longer get up, and his face suggested consequences that meant far more than just missing out on the 3-0. “That doesn’t look good,” said TV commentator Wolff-Christoph Fuss on “Magenta”.
Severely hit: Ilkay Gündogan remains lying on the ground after the attack
Source: Getty Images/Alexander Hassenstein
In any case, Gündogan remained lying on the ground with a face contorted in pain and was treated for a long time, while the French referee Clement Turpin initially did not sanction the attack on the player’s health.
“It wasn’t clear to see from the stands either,” said Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, choosing mild words for the lack of a whistle later during the break. Possibly also because Turpin had watched the scene again following the intervention of the video assistant referee in Leipzig, and then correctly decided on a penalty for Germany and a red card for the Scots.
Gosens and Ballack agree
Havertz converted to make it 3-0, after Ärzte and Gündogan had left the penalty area. The 33-year-old was back on his feet, seemed a little knocked out when celebrating the goal, but then used the break that immediately followed to return to the pitch in the second half.
“That’s unsportsmanlike. That’s a dark red card. That’s madness,” complained Robin Gosens during the break. The national player, who was not called up to the European Championship squad, is now working as an expert for Magenta TV during the tournament. His new colleague Michael Ballack agreed when he saw the pictures: “He fully accepts the injury. That’s more than a red card. It’s a miracle that he got back up.”
In sporting terms, the foul meant the preliminary decision, with the score at 3-0 and a half with a numerical advantage. Historically, it was the first red card in Scottish European Championship history. Gündogan announced after the final whistle that there were no further consequences for the German team.
“I’m not too worried. He went in dangerously, but I think he wanted to hit the ball. I think I was lucky and, by the looks of things, the ligaments were strong. I’m pretty sure nothing was broken. With the adrenaline in the game, I didn’t notice anything.”