Germany required a late intervention from Deniz Undav to secure a narrow 2-1 victory over Ghana in an unconvincing international friendly in Stuttgart on Monday.
Despite dominating possession and territorial control for large periods, Germany national football team struggled to convert their superiority into clear-cut chances. The breakthrough eventually arrived just before halftime, when Kai Havertz calmly converted from the penalty spot.
Ghana responded effectively after the interval, capitalising on Germany’s inefficiency in front of goal. A swift counter-attack, orchestrated by Derrick Köhn, allowed Abdul Fatawu to level the score, exposing familiar defensive vulnerabilities in Julian Nagelsmann’s side.
With the match drifting toward a draw, Undav delivered the decisive moment in the 88th minute, finishing clinically from a Leroy Sané assist to spare the hosts’ blushes.
The performance will do little to ease concerns surrounding Germany’s inconsistency, particularly given the context of facing an out-of-form Ghana national football team side that has now suffered four consecutive defeats, including a heavy loss to Austria days earlier.
Germany’s attacking play showed flashes of promise, particularly through Florian Wirtz, who came close early on with a curling free-kick. However, inefficiency in the final third remained a recurring issue. A potential opener involving Nick Woltemade was ruled out for offside, while several promising sequences lacked decisive execution.
The penalty that gave Germany the lead followed a VAR review, with Jonas Adjetey adjudged to have handled a shot from Angelo Stiller. Havertz made no mistake from 12 yards, briefly justifying the hosts’ control.
After the break, Germany continued to push but failed to extend their advantage. Substitute Lennart Karl added energy and creativity, nearly assisting a second goal, only for Woltemade to strike the crossbar.
Ghana’s equaliser, however, highlighted Germany’s ongoing defensive fragility, as Fatawu finished a well-worked move with 20 minutes remaining. The goal shifted momentum and underscored the visitors’ ability to remain competitive despite their poor run of form.
Undav, introduced to audible support from the Stuttgart crowd, had been largely peripheral until his late intervention. His composed finish ultimately secured victory, though the overall display raised further questions about Germany’s balance and efficiency under Nagelsmann.
