Germany vs. Ukraine: Germans show strength with 2-0 Euro 2016 win

Author: CNN

June 13, 2016 at 09:05

Ten of Germany's starting 11 players Sunday had been involved in its 2014 World Cup success and with Toni Kroos orchestrating the midfield, Low's side went ahead after the German midfielder's free kick was headed in by Shkodran Mustafi.

Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille (CNN) - With European soccer's continental showpiece reeling f-rom hooliganism outbreaks, Germany and Ukraine served up an entertaining game that was high on technical ability and no little drama on the pitch.

The current world champions have won the European Championship three times -- in 1972, 1980 and 1996 -- and despite some indifferent form since its 2014 World Cup triumph, Joachim Low's team served notice of the danger they will pose at Euro 2016 with an impressive 2-0 win.

Not that Ukraine didn't trouble Germany -- far f-rom it.

German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was frequently called into action and Jerome Boateng brilliantly cleared off the line in the first half.

Even so Ukraine's Andriy Pyatov was much the busier of the two keepers and Germany's dominant performance was rewarded with a second goal in stoppage time, Bastian Schweinsteiger rounding off a rapid counterattack.

After the game, Ukraine coach Mykhailo Fomenko described Germany as a "machine," though ominously Kroos suggested there was more to come.

"We are not yet at the level we want to achieve, but it's quite a nice beginning," said the Real Madrid midfielder after the game.

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