U20 Elite League: Moerstedt’s excellent strike seals Germany’s winning start
| Mateo Villalba Sanchez/Getty Images for DFB |
Germany U20 beat their French counterpart 1-0 in the opening round of the U20 Elite League. The World Cup semi-finalists are taking part in the annual competition for the very first time, while Germany won it twice from the first seven editions.
Both goalkeepers had a quiet first-half with most of the action reserved in the middle of the pitch. France had the better chances as Soriba Diaoune and Tadjidine Mmadi, who replaced the injured Jahyann Pandore in the 15th minute, failed to test Florian Hellstern from promising positions.
Max Moerstedt wore the captain’s armband for the first time as he started alongside HSV’s Otto Stange up front, but Germany’s first big chance fell to the attacking fullback Taylan Bulut inside the first five minutes after the restart.
Hannes Wolf’s side continued to improve as Bulut’s delivery created the next decent chance for Moerstedt. Several substitutions at either side further affected the flow of the game around the hour mark.
Moerstedt started Hoffenheim’s last Bundesliga game in Paderborn, and he showed his class with less than 15 minutes left to play. The 20-year-old found his target amid a crowded box with a brilliant holdup play and ball-striking quality.
The result extended Germany’s winning streak in the competition to five games, with the former FC Bayern youth player finding the net five times during this time. Czechia, Switzerland, Poland and defending champions Portugal will start their campaigns on Saturday.
Köln loanee Mikey Moore captained England U20 on his debut as his goal helped Darren Moore’s side to a 3-1 victory in the opening fixture of the 2026/27 U20 Elite League earlier on Friday.
Germany will face Italy and England before the end of the international break, with both games set to be played at the same ground, Estadio Olímpico Camilo Cano. They will then travel to Poland and Czechia in November’s international break.
