Deniz Undav and Lennart Karl delivered standout displays in Germany’s final home match prior to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Germany 4-0 Finland (1-0)
Goals: 1-0 Undav (34'), 2-0 Wirtz (48'), 3-0 Undav (57'), 4-0 Musiala (63')
Attendance: 25,122
A day before Germany depart for America, Julian Nagelsmann’s side secured a dominant victory over Finland in Mainz, driven by an exceptional showing from striker Deniz Undav. The Stuttgart forward netted twice and set up another goal to ensure the anticipated outcome.
“We can keep going like this,” Nagelsmann remarked afterward. “One of our strengths is that we always look capable of scoring.”
There’s not much to take away from these matches. With less than two weeks until a World Cup, it’s not the moment for tactical experiments, and most regular starters are given a rest. These games are almost always about avoiding injuries and giving squad players a chance to stake a claim for a starting spot.
A confidence-boosting win
Jamal Musiala found the net, which will provide a significant lift to both his and the team’s confidence following the Bayern Munich star’s lengthy injury absence.
Lennart Karl was outstanding, and had it not been for the woodwork, he might have gotten on the scoresheet. The Bayern teenager is pushing for a starting role, remarkably, and in terms of squad hierarchy, he has pushed Leroy Sane further down the order.
Nathaniel Brown’s attacking contributions — defensively, he was rarely tested — justified Nagelsmann’s selection, as he also provided plenty to ponder regarding which left-back will get the nod.
But beyond that, how much real value can be derived from such a victory against the world’s 73rd-ranked team? A quick glance at recent history suggests caution is needed.
Two years ago, ahead of Euro 2024, Germany narrowly beat Greece in an unconvincing and unsettling performance. Yet at the home Euros, Germany looked better than they had in years and were unfortunate to lose to Spain in the quarterfinals.
Two years before that, in preparation for the Qatar World Cup, they played a friendly in Oman that they edged 1-0 but struggled in the heat and humidity of the Gulf. What followed was a disaster, as they failed to advance past a group featuring Japan, Costa Rica, and Spain.
With all that in mind, the win and performance in Mainz are encouraging but don’t necessarily indicate how Germany will fare in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Undav keeps delivering
If anything, Deniz Undav once again stole the spotlight.
For a striker who was publicly dismissed by Nagelsmann in March despite scoring the winner — a decision the head coach later apologized for — delivering another match-winning performance certainly strengthens his case to start. Moreover, his cheerful demeanor makes him a vital squad member, as he has, in some ways, taken over the jokes and smiles that Thomas Müller once brought to this group.
“If you score two goals and provide an assist, you don’t play yourself out of the team,” Nagelsmann said afterward. Kai Havertz remains the starter, and his goal in Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat further highlights his big-game ability, but having Undav as an option off the bench is quickly shaping up to be a real asset for Germany’s prospects.
And so Germany will head to the airport, bound for Chicago, as they prepare for one last friendly against hosts the USA before settling into their base camp in North Carolina. From the end of that friendly to their World Cup opener against Curacao in Houston, there are just eight days. Germany’s World Cup adventure is already underway.
Edited by: Chuck Penfold