Dublin (dpa) – Only a disturbing first goal prevented the German women’s national team from qualifying for the European Championship. In the end, with little effort, the DFB team won 3: 1 (2: 1) in Ireland, thus winning their eighth game.

There is no reason for Ann-Katrin Berger to be bothered about her debut – even if the goalkeeper of the German women’s national team concedes this goal. In Ireland, Berger was innocent and had no chance against an unnecessary penalty kick. “Of course it was unnecessary,” said the 30-year-old from Chelsea. “It annoys me a lot.” National coach Martina Vos-Teklenberg found comforting words: “It was not Annie who caused this goal to be achieved.”

Goals in Dublin Lina Magel (21st minute) and Tabia Wamuth (29/85) scored the first international goals on penalties; Katie Maccab (45th) shortened. He now has 46: 1 goals after eight wins in eight qualifiers. The DFB had already qualified for the 2022 European Championship Final in England.

Vos-Teklenberg praised the first half but wanted to see a little more accuracy and intelligence in the second half. After the final whistle she liked something else: “I think it’s not satisfying for players to be on the field.” The goal was to subdue the team.

The 52-year-old made another major change when compared to last Friday’s 6-0 win over Greece. There were only four players on the kickoff ground at Talag Stadium, and they started at Ingolstadt. This will distribute the load evenly. As a precaution, Sarah Debritz was sitting on an mostly empty grandstand due to minor muscle complaints.

On goal, Berger got his first chance on the national team, as announced, but had little to do. Unlike the 3-0 in the first quarter, excellence created no chances early on. To the annoyance of the hosts, a penalty lead was paved: while dribbling in the penalty area, Svencha Hooth fell and Mughal spread.

After the best German combination to date, the left-hander on the left with goalkeeper Grace Moloni failed to start, and moments later a second attempt from 18m on the right sat in the far corner. For the 24-year-old from Hoffenheim, it was the first goal of her second international. “I still can not believe it, but of course I’m happy, but of course we’re more than happy to win,” the attacker said.

The only negligence on defense before the break gave up the first goal in qualifying: after the fall of Marina Hegering, Maccabi gave newcomer Berger a chance without conceding a penalty.

Director Disennifer Marosson arrived in the second half and kept her distance from the Vuth Math bar after she was dropped (55th). The Irish women, who were mainly on the defensive, still important second place to them, making things difficult for the DFB team as a whole and looking for opportunities through inactive balls. Only strong spirit gave the calm third goal – this time on the left.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 201201-99-535649 / 5