Florian Wirtz Dominates as Germany Secures 4-3 Victory Over Switzerland in Basel

Germany defeated Switzerland 4-3 in a friendly match in Basel on Friday, with Florian Wirtz of FC Liverpool producing a performance that dominated every headline, scoring twice and assisting twice to account for all four German goals. The 22-year-old opened his account with a curling finish into the right top corner in the 61st minute, putting Germany ahead for the first time, before sealing the win with another precisely placed curler into the same corner in the 86th minute. His first-half contributions were equally decisive: a cross that set up Jonathan Tah's equalizer in the 26th minute — Tah's first ever goal for the German national team — and a through-ball that sent Serge Gnabry clear to chip the ball over Gregor Kobel for the 2-2 just before half-time. Switzerland had twice led through Dan Ndoye in the 17th minute and Breel Embolo in the 41st, before substitute Joel Monteiro pulled the hosts level again at 3-3 in the 79th minute. The result gave Germany's head coach Julian Nagelsmann three wins from the final regular international window before the tournament, though the manner of the victory left significant questions unanswered.

Wirtz carries Germany every time Switzerland struck back The match unfolded as a high-tempo, end-to-end contest in the first half, with Switzerland repeatedly punishing German defensive errors before Germany found a way back each time through Wirtz. Ndoye opened the scoring after right-back Joshua Kimmich had moved far into the center, leaving the Basel winger with space to drive into the penalty area and beat the goalkeeper at the near post. Embolo restored Switzerland's lead in the 41st minute, heading in a cross from Silvan Widmer after prevailing physically against Jonathan Tah, who had earlier scored the first equalizer. Gnabry's 45th-minute goal, set up by Wirtz's incisive pass, sent the teams into the break level at 2-2. After the interval, Germany controlled large portions of the game, but Joel Monteiro's goal — Switzerland's third shot on target producing their third goal, according to Deutsche Welle — briefly leveled the match again at 3-3 before Wirtz delivered the decisive blow four minutes from time. „It probably was” — Florian Wirtz via Deutsche Welle the Liverpool midfielder said when asked if this had been his best Germany performance. „Flo's goals were exceptional. We know he is super creative.” — Julian Nagelsmann via Deutsche Welle

Schlotterbeck errors and a defense far from World Cup ready While the attacking display offered genuine encouragement, the defensive performance drew sharp criticism from multiple outlets, with Nico Schlotterbeck identified as the central problem. According to Der Tagesspiegel, Schlotterbeck made simple passing errors before both Swiss goals, and his teammates also looked uncertain and nervous in build-up play under high pressure. Even Jonathan Tah, described as having been in good form recently, delivered a mixed performance — a goal on one side, a positional error leading to a goal on the other. Antonio Rüdiger sat on the bench for the full 90 minutes in Basel without being introduced, leaving the question of Germany's first-choice central defensive pairing for the World Cup unresolved. The Swiss finished the match with three goals from three shots on target, a level of clinical efficiency that Germany could not match despite their greater territorial dominance in the second half. Germany's next opportunity to address these defensive concerns comes on Monday against Ghana, with kick-off at 20:45, broadcast on RTL.

Germany and Switzerland have met 55 times, with Friday's match ending as the 37th Swiss defeat in that series, according to the Neue Zürcher Zeitung. Switzerland had gone four consecutive meetings without losing to Germany before this result. Dan Ndoye scored against Germany in the same fixture at the European Championship two years earlier, replicating his pattern of performing well against the neighboring nation. Breel Embolo's goal in Basel was his 23rd for the Swiss national team, moving him into sole ninth place on Switzerland's all-time top scorers list, according to the NZZ.

Sané replaced by 18-year-old debutant as World Cup clock ticks down The match also served as a referendum on Leroy Sané's international future, and the verdict was not encouraging for the Galatasaray Istanbul winger. Julian Nagelsmann had included Sané in the starting lineup despite the 30-year-old having failed to score in ten Champions League appearances this season and managing only six goals in 21 Turkish league matches, according to Die Welt. Sané struggled to make an impact and was substituted, replaced by 18-year-old Lennart Karl, who was making his debut for the German national team. According to Der Tagesspiegel, Karl initiated several attacks down the right side after coming on — something Sané had hardly managed before his withdrawal. Kai Havertz, making his comeback for Germany after nearly a year and a half away from the squad, created multiple chances but failed to convert any of them, with Der Tagesspiegel noting that the lack of match practice was unmistakable. The match was broadcast on RTL with Wolff Fuss commentating alongside Lothar Matthäus, while Stefan Raab and Michael "Bully" Herbig provided an alternative commentary stream on RTL Plus.

79 (days) — until Germany's World Cup opener against Curacao

Germany 4-3 Switzerland — key moments: — ; — ; — ; — ; — ; — ; —

DFB team preparations for the 2026 World Cup now enter their final phase, with Nagelsmann having only three more matches to finalize his squad and preferred formation before the tournament begins. The performance of RTL Plus commentators Stefan Raab and Michael "Bully" Herbig drew mixed reviews, with Der Spiegel describing the broadcast as "rarely funny" and "ultimately a very long advertising trailer" for the two entertainers' upcoming Saturday evening show. Leon Goretzka, reflecting on Wirtz's decisive contribution, captured the mood of the evening. „You saw his class today. You can see it from his first touch for his second goal, and to place the ball in the top corner like he did was superb.” — Leon Goretzka via Deutsche Welle