Germany 2-3 Belgium: Kevin De Bruyne dazzles as Tedesco era offers promise

Germany were stunned by an early onslaught as Domenico Tedesco’s new-look Belgium recorded victory in Cologne.

Kevin De Bruyne produced an attacking masterclass as new Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco made it two wins in as many games with a 3-2 friendly triumph at Germany on Tuesday.

Kevin De Bruyne produced an attacking masterclass as new Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco made it two wins in as many games with a 3-2 friendly triumph in Germany on Tuesday.

Tedesco’s tenure began with a 3-0 win over Sweden in a Euro 2024 qualifier on Friday and Belgium, inspired by new captain De Bruyne, impressed again at the RheinEnergieStadion.

Germany had no answer in the first nine minutes in Cologne as De Bruyne equalized with goals from Yannick Carrasco and Romelu Lukaku.

Niclas Fullkrug’s 44th-minute penalty offered Hansi Flick’s hosts hope, but De Bruyne’s neat 78th-minute finish sealed another win at the start of a promising era under Tedesco as Serge Gnabry’s late response was of little value.

Carrasco fired Belgium into the lead in the sixth minute after latching onto De Bruyne’s pinpoint pass before calmly slotting into the roof of the net.

Another delectable De Bruyne shot past the other Belgian, Lukaku raced past the onrushing Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Dodi Lukebakio inexplicably pulled a famous chance wide before Lukaku headed De Bruyne’s corner onto the bar, prompting Flick to make two changes in the 32nd minute.

Injuries to Leon Goretzka and Florian Wirtz made way for Felix Nmech and Emre Can, with Germany responding when Fullkrug converted a penalty after Lukaku was adjudged to have been tackled.

Germany increased the pressure after the break when Gnabry smashed just wide before Timo Werner saw a strike ruled out for offside. Joshua Kimmich also went close with a screeching low strike.

But De Bruyne put the game out of reach, finishing into the bottom right corner after Leandro Trossard’s offload, leaving Gnabry’s late save from Kevin Schade’s low cross – shortly after hitting the post – a mere consolation.