Werner scores brace as Germany match past Ukraine

Germany battled to an eventually comfortable 3-1 win against Ukraine in Leipzig to go top of UEFA Nations League Group 4 and continue an unbeaten run that began 12 games ago in September last year.

The hosts opened the game positively, albeit wastefully, before an emphatic strike against the run of play from Roman Yaremchuk in the 12th minute halted Germany’s dominance and put them a goal down.

Ukraine’s lead did not last long though thanks to Leroy Sane rifling home an equaliser 23 minutes in after Leon Goretzka pickpocketed Oleksandr Zinchenko in midfield and played an inch-perfect through ball for the assist.

About 10 minutes later, Goretzka added another assist to his tally when he acrobatically controlled Robin Koch’s pass and crossed to Timo Werner so the Chelsea striker could nod home to give Germany the lead.

Werner bagged his second goal of the night in the 64th minute when he was aided by a slight deflection to convert Matthias Ginter’s cross and put the game to bed.

Although Germany now replace Spain at the top of the group on nine points, their match in Sevilla on Tuesday evening will be the ultimate decider of who progresses to the Nations League Finals next October.