Mittelstädt corner sets Germany on their way

Mittelstädt restored to starting XI

Germany head coach Jürgen Klopp restored Maximilian Mittelstädt to his starting XI in a 3-1 UEFA Nations League victory over Serbia. The left-back set up the opening goal after only three minutes, swinging in a corner from the left which was flicked on by Kai Havertz and bundled into his own net by Serbia defender Srđan Babić.

Mittelstädt, operating in his preferred position on the left side of defence, continued to impress at both ends of the pitch as the game wore on. Florian Wirtz (14’) and Brajan Gruda (50’) got Germany’s other two goals, with Babíc atoning for his early error with a 56^th-minute consolation for the home side. VfB defender Finn Jeltsch was an unused substitute in Belgrade.

El Khannouss and Morocco triumph in AFCON qualifying

Bilal El Khannouss was also named in the starting line-up as Morocco cruised to a 5-1 win at home to Niger in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Casablanca. El Khannouss played 84 minutes of the Atlas Lions’ victory, which leaves them top of Group A with maximum points from their three games so far.

Seimen and Pejcinovic involved as U21s lose friendly

VfB youngsters Dennis Seimen und Dzenan Pejcinovic both started for Germany U21s, who were beaten 2-1 by their Belgian counterparts on Friday evening. Seimen was back in goal after recovering from injury, while Pejcinovic was taken off in the 79^th minute.