Germany dismisses Finland 4-0 in Mainz ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

Deniz Undav registered two goals and an assist, while Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala added strikes to give Germany an emphatic victory before heading to the United States.

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The German national team secured an ideal send-off in front of their home support before flying out to North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In an international friendly hosted in Mainz, Julian Nagelsmann’s squad put on a highly structured and dominant performance to secure a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Finland. The match served as a perfect tactical laboratory to integrate new profiles into the German system and reaffirmed the stellar goalscoring form of forward Deniz Undav.

Nagelsmann utilized the fixture to heavily rotate his starting lineup, handing Oliver Baumann the starting nod in goal due to Manuel Neuer's calf injury, while also introducing youngsters Nathaniel Brown and Lennart Karl on the flanks. Following an opening stretch where the hosts diligently worked to unlock the Scandinavian low block, the breakthrough arrived in the 34th minute through a well-rehearsed set-piece routine. Karl delivered a short corner to Joshua Kimmich, who whipped a precise cross into the box for Undav to power a header past goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky for the 1-0 lead.

Germany increased their high-pressing intensity at the start of the second half, immediately punishing Finland's structural errors during build-up play. In the 48th minute, Undav intercepted a loose ball deep in opposition territory and assisted Florian Wirtz, who tapped home from short range to double the cushion. Nine minutes later, a devastating counterattack spearheaded by 18-year-old prospect Lennart Karl culminated in a brilliant through-ball to Undav, who clinically slotted home his second of the night before being subbed off as a precaution due to a minor thigh issue.

The final flourish of the afternoon in Mainz belonged to Jamal Musiala in the 63rd minute. The Bayern Munich playmaker marked his return to the scoresheet for the national team by unleashing a precise left-footed strike that left the visiting defense completely static. Following the 4-0 victory, Germany will fly to Chicago on Tuesday for the final phase of their training camp, which concludes this Saturday, June 6, with a high-caliber test against the United States at Soldier Field.