Wirtz Works Wonders: Germany Snatch 4-3 Thriller from Swiss Fireworks as Friendlies Explode!
Florian Wirtz starred with two goals and two assists as Germany edged Switzerland 4-3 in a Basel thriller, their first win there since 2008. England finally led Uruguay thanks to Ben White's debut international goal, while Spain thumped Serbia 3-0 with Oyarzabal's brace and a debut strike from Víctor Muñoz. The Netherlands overcame Norway 2-1 with Virgil van Dijk and Tijjani Reijnders on target in a night of international fireworks.
Mad Night of International Friendlies Delivers Goals Galore
Picture this: a pint in hand, telly flickering with four cracking friendlies, and the footy gods deciding to chuck in every plot twist going. From Germany's nail-biter in Basel to England finally breaking their duck at Wembley, it was chaos from whistle to whistle. Buckle up, we've got the lowdown on the madness.
Wirtz the Wizard Leads Germany to First 2026 Win
Blimey, Florian Wirtz was untouchable. The Bayer Leverkusen maestro bossed Switzerland vs Germany at St. Jakob-Park, notching a brace of assists before halftime and then smashing in his own two goals after the break. Die Mannschaft flipped a madcap 2-2 half-time scoreline into a 4-3 victory, ending a winless streak against the Swiss that dated back donkey's years – their first triumph there since a 4-0 tonking in 2008.
It kicked off with Dan Ndoye's solo stunner for the hosts, assisted by Sunderland's Granit Xhaka on his 144th cap. Jonathan Tah levelled with a towering header from Wirtz's cheeky short-corner routine, but Breel Embolo nodded the Nati back ahead. Serge Gnabry equalised before the break, then Joël Monteiro pegged it at 3-3 late on – only for Wirtz to seal the deal. Debutant Lennart Karl got minutes too, replacing Leroy Sané. Pure class from Nagelsmann's lads.
England Edge Ahead in Wembley Slugfest
Over at Wembley, England hosted Uruguay in a 2026 World Cup warm-up that had fans tearing their hair out. Locked at 0-0 at the break after injuries forced Noni Madueke off for Jarrad Bowen and Joaquín Piquerez stretchered away for the visitors (hello, José Giménez), the Three Lions finally sparked life.
Ben White – yes, Arsenal's right-back – tapped home his first England goal from a sixth corner, breaking the deadlock late on. Tuchel rang four changes heading into the final 15, with Adam Wharton subbing Jordan Henderson at half-time. Dominic Solanke was pushing for a World Cup nod, but White stole the headlines. Tense stuff, but England's new kits looked mint.
La Roja Rampage, Oranje Overhaul Norway
In Villarreal, Spain dismantled Serbia 3-0. Mikel Oyarzabal bagged a brace – the Real Sociedad hotshot now on 16 goal involvements in his last 10 caps – before debutant Víctor Muñoz chipped in off the bench for Osasuna. Double changes sealed a comfy night for La Roja.
Meanwhile, at Johan Cruyff Arena, the Netherlands edged Norway 2-1. Andreas Schjelderup opened for the visitors, but Virgil van Dijk headed level pronto. Tijjani Reijnders rifled the winner into the top corner for the Oranje. Van Dijk the hero again, what a beast.
These friendlies were a goal fest – 10 strikes before half-time across the lot. As reported by the OneFootball crew, it was the perfect prep for bigger battles ahead. Who's buying the next round?
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