Jule Brand and Lea Schuller scored second-half goals as Germany kicked off their Euro 2025 campaign with a dominant win over tournament debutants Poland in St Gallen.
Christian Wuck’s side had almost 75% possession in the first half, but for all their dominance it was goalless at the break through missed opportunities.
They posed the bigger threat in front of goal with Brand and Giulia Gwinn both coming close, but Poland defended resolutely and their West Ham goalkeeper Kinga Szemik was impressive.
There was a blow for Germany late in the first half when captain Gwinn left the field in tears after hurting herself making a crucial challenge to deny Ewa Pajor.
She initially tried to continue, but was helped off by medics and replaced.
Germany’s persistence paid off seven minutes into the second period when Wolfsburg forward Brand cut inside on the edge of the box before unleashing a stunning left-footed strike beyond Szemik and into the top corner.
She then turned provider for the Euro 2022 finalists as she picked out Schuller to head in Germany’s second in the 66th minute.
Captain Pajor was Poland’s brightest spark and had two big chances in the second half, but denied both times by keeper Ann-Katrin Berger.
Nina Patalon’s team put in a performance to be proud of in their first experience of major tournament football and despite being outnumbered, the Polish supporters never stopped singing.
