Werner brace as Germany beat Ukraine 3-1 to go top in NL group

Leipzig (dpa) – Timo Werner struck twice in his former home stadium as Germany rallied to beat Ukraine 3-1 on Saturday and went top of their Nations League group with a place at next year’s finals in sight.

Werner, who played for RB Leipzig before summer move to Chelsea, netted in the 33rd and 64th, after Leroy Sane had cancelled out Ukraine’s early lead from Roman Yaremchuk behind closed doors in the eastern German city.

Germany have nine points after their first-ever home win in the competition and are one clear of Spain who drew 1-1 in Switzerland.

That means Germany only need a draw in Tuesday night’s group finale against the Spanish in Seville to reach the finals set for autumn 2021.

Ukraine, who were denied twice by the post, visit Switzerland the same day and need a draw to avoid relegation into the second tier.

“It wasn’t easy because Ukraine play good football,” coach Joachim Loew told broadcasters ZDF. But overall we had speed and good moments in the first half. We lost a few balls in the second half but overall we can be satisfied with the win.”

Werner said: “It is fun to play in the former home stadium and to win. It looked quite good up front and we are also getting better at the back.”

Captain Manuel Neuer won his 95th cap to equal Sepp Meier’s long-standing appearance record for German goalkeepers while PSV Eindhoven’s Philipp Max started as left back after a strong first cap in Wednesday’s friendly against the Czech Republic.

Loew made seven changes as Bayern Munich players led by Neuer returned, with Munich’s Serge Gnabry and Sane forming a speedy attacking trio with Werner.

Ukraine coach Andriy Shevchenko missed four players including Andriy Yarmolenko, plus a staff member, after positive coronavirus tests, and the match only got the go-ahead after the other Ukrainians tested negative earlier Saturday.

Shevchenko said late Saturday that all infected would be flown back to Kiev and not make the trip to Switzerland.

Leon Goretzka fired high and Robin Koch headed wide early on but it was the visitors who drew first blood in the 11th when Germany’s defence failed to stop Olexandr Zubkov and Ghent’s Yaremchuk smashed the loose ball into the top right corner.

Germany appeared rattled before regaining their composure and were level in the 23rd, Sane converting an accurate through-ball from Goretzka into the bottom far left corner from the edge of the area.

The lively Goretzka had a long-range effort saved by Andriy Pyatov and was involved again when the hosts went 2-1 up in the 33rd, artistically controlling a long ball from Robin Koch at the right and Werner nodding his pass across the goalmouth into the net.

Oleksandr Zinchenko came close to an equalizer when his 52nd effort took a deflection and hit the outside post, and Marlos’ suffered the same fate later.

But in-between Germany had already soothed their nerves with the third goal, Werner slotting home off a low cross from Matthias Ginter.

“It was quite good today. We came back and didn’t let up. We made a few easy mistakes but that is part of it,” Sane said.