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Joshua Kimmich salvages draw for Germany against Denmark

A thrilling end-to-end game in which both teams squandered a plethora of chances!

Joshua Kimmich salvages draw for Germany against Denmark

German midfielder Joshua Kimmich (C) scores the equaliser (Photo: AFP)

Joshua Kimmich’s spectacular overhead kick in the 88th minute saved Germany from what could have been an embarrassing defeat against Denmark, with the international friendly at the Brondy Stadium in Copenhagen ending in a 1-1 draw on Tuesday. 

Die Mannschaft manager Joachim Low sent out an extremely young starting XI with most of their big-names missing but with the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup around the corner, it was up to the ‘next generation’ to impress.

After Anthony Rudiger’s mistake had allowed Christian Erisken to power home an 18th minute opener, the defending World Cup champions were always playing catch-up. 

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The Germans quickly recovered from the shock deficit to dominate possession but this was an end-to-end game as both sides had plenty of chances to open the scoring.

The Danes, in contention to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, gave a good account of themselves as they showed they weren't content to sit on a one-nil lead.

Kevin Trapp, in the German goal, was a busy man as time and again he bailed out his teammates with an string of impressive saves. 

Leon Goretzka was having a terrific game for Germany, but the Schalke midfielder was unable to beat Denmark custodian Frederik Ronnow, who was in inspired form, much like Trapp. 

The teams went into the dressing rooms at half-time with the hosts holding a slender lead and the second period started with the visitors firmly in control of proceedings. 

Eriksen, Denmark’s captain, went close with a curling shot that was inches away from being a top-corner finish as the game began to get stretched early on in the second-half. 

The home side’s best chance to double their lead came to Yussuf Poulsen, but the 22-year-old was somehow unable to turn in a low cross from inside four yards to give Germany a reprieve. 

The visitors were stung into action and came close to equalising via headers off consecutive corners, but Ronnow tipped both attempts over to preserve his side’s lead. 

Julian Draxler, given the armband by Low for the night, started to grow into the game as the Danes tired, but lacked the killer instinct in the final third and it was left to the Kimmich to equalise in stunning fashion. The ball was bouncing in the Denmark box as the Bayern Munich man improvised with his back to the goal, sending in a volley which flew past Ronnow. 

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