The German U21s dominated at the start of the European Championship qualifiers in Kosovo, but missed the best chances. Youssoufa Moukoko, a player who had been disappointing at the European Championship in the summer, then lets the team celebrate.

Youssoufa Moukoko extended his impressive goal tally – eight games, nine goals – and gave the German U21 national team a successful start to its European Championship qualifying campaign.

The Borussia Dortmund forward led Antonio Di Salvo’s side to a 3-0 (0-0) win in Kosovo on Tuesday with two goals (74th/78th minutes). Colin Kleine-Beckel from Kiel scored the third goal (89th). A good two months after the botched European Championship, the German Football Association team completely dominated the match against defensive hosts, but initially missed the best chances to take the lead.

“Overall, I am satisfied. We showed the willingness and passion we needed,” Di Salvo said. Moukoko was one of three professionals in the squad who had already been part of the squad for the first-round exit at the European Championship. The 18-year-old had played a poor tournament in Georgia, like the rest of the team, but added to his impressive goal tally with goals number seven and eight in his eighth U21 match. “Youssoufa is an important player, not only because he scores goals,” praised Di Salvo.

For the U21s, the qualifying double-header continues in October away against Bulgaria and the highly rated Israelis. Other opponents are Poland and Estonia. Only the top of the group is sure to qualify for the 2025 tournament in Slovakia.

The game in Pristina developed as expected: outsiders Kosovo defended deep with a five-man defence, Germany controlled the game. The guests combined with passes into the depth again and again. However, they lacked the precision to score a goal worth mentioning. On the other hand, the Kosovo team rarely showed the “gambler’s mentality” expected by Di Salvo. The outsiders were mostly harmless going forward.

The best opportunities for the superior DFB team came from standards: Tim Lemperle from Fürth aimed too high from close range after a corner (32nd). Especially after the break, Germany pressed vehemently for the lead. Moukoko hit the outer net (47th). Lemperle’s shot after a beautiful pass from the Dortmund player was deflected against the post, Merlin Röhl put the follow-up shot next to the goal (50th).

The game now became more and more a game of patience. The hosts, who defended extremely hard at times, hardly provided any relief at all. In the final phase, it was Moukoko who made the difference: The striker scored with a beautiful shot after a corner and a feint from close range. Defender Kleine-Bekel then scored the final goal with a header after a corner.