France 0-2 Germany: Florian Wirtz nets his nation’s fastest ever international goal after just SEVEN seconds to help Julian Nagelsmann’s side stun the 2018 World Cup winners – with Kai Havertz sealing friendly win

Arsenal‘s Kai Havertz outdid superstar Kylian Mbappe as the Euro 2024 hosts Germany beat France in Lyon.

The Arsenal forward scored in a comfortable German victory converting three minutes into the second half after Jamal Musiala had rounded France goalkeeper Mike Maignan, having run on to Florian Wirtz’ clever pass. It was Wirtz who had scored the opener just six seconds into the game.

Mbappe almost provoked a late comeback for the French. He broke down the left a minute from time but when his cross was only half-cleared by debutant Maximilian Mittelstädt, Antonio Rudiger hammered the ball on to his own crossbar.

Mbappe then crossed again from the left but this time substitute Olivier Giroud shot wide before France were booed off at the final whistle.

The narrative coming into the game was that struggling Germany would suffer against Mbappe but it was his future Real Madrid team-mate Toni Kroos who had the greater impact setting up the first goal on his return from international retirement.

Florian Wirtz opened the scoring in Lyon after just seven seconds with a stunning finish

Wirtz pictured celebrating his team’s first goal with teammates during the international friendly match between France and Germany at Groupama Stadium

Julian Nagelsmann was delighted with his side’s performance on Saturday evening 

Wirtz took advantage of the assist to open the scoring with what was a record-breaking goal.

It took the Bayer Leverkusen player just seven seconds to score what was his first goal for his country.

Kroos floated a clever ball to Wirtz who had found space between French lines and he buried a shot into the top corner from the edge of the area.

The 34-year-old Kroos was playing his first game for Germany since he quit after a 2-0 defeat to England in July 2021 at the last Euros. Persuaded to come back by Julian Nagelsmann he ran the game after that early blow to the French.

The Wirtz goal, recorded at seven seconds was the quickest in Germany’s history beating a Lukas Podolski’s goal against Ecuador in 2013.

Christoph Baumgartner’s six-second goal earlier on Saturday for Austria against Slovakia is the only international goal scored more quickly.

Kroos had spoken about the importance of linking up with Wirtz pregame and the connection had been instant for Nagelsmann, in need of a win after two draws and a defeat in Germany’s last three matches.

Mbappe did his best to level before the break but he fired over from Ousmane Dembele’s cross and he was then denied by Marc Andre ter Stegen’s fine save.

Kylian Mbappe was unable to instigate a late comeback from France, who were booed off

The Paris Saint Germain forward was causing German right back Joshua Kimmich all sorts of problems down the French left. And Dembele was stretching them on the other flank.

But with Antoine Greizmann missing with an ankle injury France lacked the invention in the first half to really trouble a defence well marshaled by another of Mbappe’s future team-mates Rudiger.

It was the first time Griezmann had missed a France game since 2017 and it was a reminder that he is every bit as important to them as Mbappe.

Didier Deschamps made changes on the hour after Havertz got that second German goal just after the restart. Giroud, Eduardo Camavinga, Theo Hernandez and Jonathan Clauss came on for the ineffectual Marcus Thuram, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Lucas Hernandez and Jules Kounde.

The changes made little difference with Germany still dominant. They had won only six of their last 22 international matches and it was only last September when they made Hansi Flick the first ever German national coach to be fired.

Nagelsmann spoke last week about wanting to sort his future out before the Euros start and German Football Association president Bernd Neuendorf had made positive noises about keeping him in charge beyond the summer tournament.

This win will increase the likelihood of that happening although Germany must still come through a home friendly against the Netherlands on Tuesday before Nagelsmann names his squad for the tournament.

Mbappe continued to cut a frustrated figure in the second half. He clipped the ball over Kimmich down the left and raced into space but when he then floated the ball harmlessly into the hands of Ter Stegen it was the perfect illustration of underwhelming night for the PSG forward.

Deniz Uzdav, the Brighton forward on loan at Stuttgart, made his debut from the bench

Germany were comfortable enough to be able to bring on Thomas Müller for his 127th cap and there was also a late run-out for Brighton forward Deniz Undav. The 27-year-old, currently on loan at Stuttgart, made his debut.

Mbappe played the 90 minutes and Rudiger so nearly put his cross past his own keeper but it would have been hard on Germany had they not held on for the win.

Kroos sent a shot from distance wide in the closing exchanges. A goal for him would have capped his impressive return. With him back pulling the strings in midfield alongside Barcelona’s Ilkay Gundogan Germany can feel less pessimistic about their Euros kick-off against Scotland on June14.

France will hope Griezmann is fit to start the tournament for them. Captain Mbappe needs his support if they are to improve on this performance that did nothing to justify their status as tournament favourites.