Germany enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 victory over Finland in a pre-World Cup friendly at Mainz, with Deniz Undav the star of the show. However, the night wasn't entirely smooth as the Stuttgart forward left the pitch with an injury shortly after scoring his second goal.
Head coach Julian Nagelsmann handed Undav a start at center-forward, and the 28-year-old repaid that faith emphatically. He opened the scoring in the 34th minute, rising to nod home a precise cross and give Germany a deserved lead against a Finnish side that failed to register a single shot on target all evening.
Undav turned provider early in the second half, winning the ball high up the pitch with a perfectly timed sliding tackle that released Florian Wirtz, who doubled the advantage in the 48th minute. It was a moment of defensive aggression turned creative brilliance, underlining Undav's all-around contribution.
The striker then grabbed his second in the 57th minute, sliding in to convert from close range and make it 3-0. But celebrations were cut short as Undav appeared to be in discomfort and was substituted immediately, raising concerns about his fitness ahead of the tournament.
Jamal Musiala added a fourth goal in the 63rd minute, capping a fine return to international football after his last appearance in March 2025. The Bayern Munich youngster showed his class with a composed finish, providing another positive takeaway for Nagelsmann.
Finland, who did not qualify for the upcoming World Cup, offered little resistance and managed zero shots on target, allowing Germany to dominate possession and fine-tune their attacking patterns. The match served as a confidence-boosting routine win, but Undav's potential injury clouded the mood.
Undav's form has been crucial for Germany in recent camps, and his brace here further cemented his case to lead the line. With the World Cup drawing near, any fitness issue will be monitored closely, as the team lacks depth in the striking department.
Germany are in Group E for the World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19. They will face Curaçao on June 14, Ivory Coast on June 20, and Ecuador on June 25. Their final warm-up match is against the United States on Saturday, giving Nagelsmann one last chance to assess his squad.
The coach will likely use that game to test alternatives if Undav is sidelined. Others in the squad will need to step up, and the performance against Finland showed that the team can create chances even without their main striker, but Undav's clinical edge will be hard to replace.
Musiala's return is a timely boost, offering creativity and goal threat from midfield. Alongside Wirtz, he forms part of a dynamic attacking unit that Germany hopes can carry them deep into the tournament. The victory, while easy, provided valuable minutes for key players.
The injury to Undav remains the main talking point. Without him, Nagelsmann would have to rely on different profiles up front, potentially altering the system. Fans and staff will anxiously await updates on the extent of the problem.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.
