Germany U21 1-2 Belgium U21: Di Salvo's depleted side suffer first defeat of 2026

Due to players getting nominated for the senior side by Jürgen Klopp and many injuries, Germany looked very different from the side that played the majority of the qualification campaign for the European championship. However, they had the first two chances with Anton Kade's blocked effort and Paris Brunner's off-target shot.

The next five minutes belonged to Belgium as Julian Duranville scored with his second attempt of the game. A minute after his solo effort narrowly missed the target, the former BVB winger had the simplest task of converting a tap-in after Lucas Stassin's cutback.

Germany regained control after conceding the opening goal, with Muhammed Damar playing a big part in most of their promising attacks. The Wolfsburg midfielder was also the one who brought the hosts back in Essen twenty minutes before the half-time break.

Lucas Noubi's challenge on Brunner gave Germany a free-kick opportunity from close range, which was calmly converted by Damar. The Hoffenheim loanee scored with the brilliant tactic of hitting it under the wall. The 22-year-old last played for Antonio Di Salvo's side a year ago, but he played a starring role in the absence of star names.

Belgium's goalkeeper Lucca Brughmans saved his next attempt after a deflection as Damar decided to go alone in a 4 vs. 3 counter-attacking situation. Stassin hit the post with the last meaningful action of the first-half, although Germany were on top for the most part.

It was Germany's turn to be denied by three woodwork early after the restart as the “Man of the Hour” Damar hit the crossbar moments before Kade's header narrowly missed the target. Damar and Kade created several promising opportunities in the final third, but they were among the first players to be taken off by Di Salvo.

However, it was Belgium's substitute Romeo Vermant who scored within seconds of entering the game. Nicolo Tresoldi's Club Brugge teammate nutmegged Dennis Seimen to put the visitors ahead for the second time in the game.

Brunner hit the sidenetting from a promising position before Brughmans made some decent saves to deny substitutes Maurice Krattenmacher and Merit Kömür. Debutant Louey Ben Farhat also came close to leveling the score for the hosts with his first action of the game. 

Nonetheless, Belgium U21 held on to their slender lead to beat their Germany counterparts for the third time in a row. After eight successive wins in the Euros qualifying campaign, Di Salvo's suffered their first defeat in 2026.

Germany U21 will end the year with a friendly against Croatia in Rijeka on Tuesday.