Brand on target as Germany battle to 2-0 win over Poland at Women's Euros
Gwinn, who has suffered two anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries previously in her career, was helped from the field in tears in the 40th minute after twisting her knee while making a last-ditch tackle to prevent Poland captain Ewa Pajor from scoring.
After dominating much of the scoreless first half against a spirited Poland side, the Germans finally made the breakthrough seven minutes into the second when Brand cut inside before firing a soaring, curling shot into the top-left corner of the Polish goal past the despairing dive of Kinga Szemik.
Sjoeke Nuesken and Klara Buehl both should have scored with headers before Lea Schueller finally got the second in the 66th minute, expertly exploiting a sliver of space in Poland's offside line to steal in behind and score with a header from Brand's cross.
The lively Pajor represented Poland's best chance of scoring on the night and she had a number of good chances, but Ann- Katrin Berger pulled off a string of fine saves in the German goal to keep her clean sheet intact.
With Sweden having beaten Denmark 1-0 earlier, the Germans go into their game against the Danes in Basel on Tuesday on top of Group C ahead of the second-placed Swedes, who face Poland in Lucerne later the same evening.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
32 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Transfer news: Jamie Gittens completes £55m Chelsea switch, Forest land Jesus
Chelsea have completed the signing of Jamie Gittens, with the Borussia Dortmund winger joining on a contract until 2032 in a deal expected to be around £55m. The England Under-21 international has made more than 100 appearances for the Bundesliga club and has featured in the Champions League. 'It feels great,' Gittens told the club's website. 'It's a great feeling to join such a big club as Chelsea. I can't wait to learn from everyone in the team and to push myself to the max here. It's an amazing feeling.' Chelsea identified Gittens, who also had interest from Bayern Munich, as a key target in January and have been negotiating with Dortmund over the 20-year-old this summer. Gittens moved to Germany from Manchester City in 2020 and made his debut late in the 2021-22 season, making 20 appearances and scoring three goals. The following season he registered 10 goal contributions in 34 games across all competitions. Last season he had 17 goal contributions before featuring for Dortmund in the Club World Cup in the United States. Nottingham Forest have signed the Brazil striker Igor Jesus on a four-year deal from Botafogo. The 24-year-old has recently returned from the Club World Cup, where he scored twice, including the winner against Paris Saint-Germain. The arrival of Jesus boosts Forest's frontline options, though Nuno Espírito Santo is poised to lose Anthony Elanga, who is expected to join longtime admirers Newcastle in a deal worth about £55m. Forest are looking to PSV's Johan Bakayoko as a replacement. Jesus, whose nickname is 'Little Frog', said: 'I'm really happy to be part of this new story, especially at a club like Nottingham Forest. I didn't have to think twice about the offer. I am delighted to be coming here and hope to do some great work.' Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Jesus was selected for Brazil's World Cup qualifiers in October and November, scoring against Chile on debut. The versatile Forest full-back Neco Williams has signed a new deal until 2029, while Ola Aina is also expected to commit his future to the club. Elsewhere, Manchester United have signed the Paraguay youth international Diego León. The 18-year full-back becomes United's second signing of the summer following the arrival of Wolves forward Matheus Cunha. León joins from Paraguayan club Cerro Porteño, where he played 33 games and scored four goals. United said on their website: 'León reached the age of 18 in April and as an emerging talent will be supported by our first team and the academy while he settles into life in Manchester. Welcome to United, Diego.'
The Sun
32 minutes ago
- The Sun
France's Melvine Malard ready ‘to give one hundred per cent' in Euros battle against Manchester United mates
MELVINE MALARD is relishing France's tough Euros opener against England and a few of her Manchester United pals later. It is what the forward expects from her experience of playing alongside Red Devils stars Ella Toone, Grace Clinton and Maya Le Tissier. 4 4 4 The in-form France ace, 25, who joined Man United from Lyon in September 2023, counts the Lioness trio among her mates. Friends she enjoys going to battle with in pursuit of domestic honours in a Red Devils shirt. But at 8:00pm tonight in Zurich, Switzerland, friendship will be put to one side with Malard and her compatriots hoping to topple the Euros holders. Ahead of the clash at the Letzigrund Stadium, Malard said 'It's very special for me because we play England and I have good team-mates in England. 'All the (United) players (with England) are my friends. 'Maya is very strong. Sometimes in training the fight is hard against her, but I love it! 'Ella is a different type of player, very skilled and very intelligent on the ball. 'For me it's very good to play against these girls because we are friends. But I will be giving 100% for France. "This is a very tough group because it's a group of teams with very different styles." Unlike England, France are still waiting to achieve their dream of being crowned Europe's football queens for the first time. While they reached the semis of the last Euros and World Cup, the team are yet to star in a major tournament final. But following eight wins in their last nine international fixtures, Malard hopes this will be their year. The 29-capped France forward and four-time Champions League winner added: 'Our objective is to go far in this competition. 'We need to have a lot of positive energy and not just for this moment (the game against England) but also for the chance of playing in the final. 'I don't feel any pressure. We know what we want and what we can do. 'It's the time for us to go far (in these Euros) because we would like to win at least one trophy and we can do that this month." Along with England, France are in a group of death which includes contest debutants Wales and 2017 champions Holland. However the team are likely to fancy their chances of giving their rivals a run for their money given their recent form. Under head coach Laurent Bonadei, who took charge after Herve Renard's departure last summer, France have been in fine form. Their last loss occurred last December with world champions Spain beating them 4-2 in a friendly. Since then Les Bleues have been thorn in their rivals' sides with Norway, Switzerland, Belgium and Brazil amongst their beaten foes. Their 5-0 friendly drubbing of Belgium in June included Malard bagging a hat-trick as they fired a pre-Euros warning. The forward, whose senior club career began at Lyon in 2017, feels a mentality shift since moving to England has helped her form. Malard said: 'My mentality has changed in that I'm more open than I was before. 4 'I feel very good in England and the Man United fans have given me a lot of confidence.. 'When you listen to people sing your name in the stadium, it's a very good feeling for the player. "We play football for this energy, for this moment and in England I have that.'
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea CONFIRM Gittens signing, Walker to Burnley ANNOUNCED, Spurs have ‘£50m Kudus bid REJECTED'
Man Utd sign Leon And Manchester United have announced the signing of Diego Leon. Leon joined United from Cerro Porteno for an undisclosed fee. The 18-year-old Leon will be supported by both the first team and the academy.
