Match Awards from Germany’s 2-0 win over Poland

Jersey Swap: Ewa Pajor

A familiar foe for Bayern Munich fans, the former VfL Wolfsburg sensation and current FC Barcelona star showed up to play. Pajor did not have the chance to do much, but whenever she saw an opening, she gave the Germany defense fits. In the end, she was unlucky not to score at least once. Pajor is the kind of player who looks poised at any moment to take over and completely change a game, even if it is out of nowhere — as she nearly did in the 81st minute with a towering header (keep in mind that she is all of 5’6) between two German defenders.

Der Kaiser: Ann-Katrin Berger

The shot-stopper for the NWSL’s Gotham FC showed up big when her team needed to. Poland only had two recorded shots on target — but it felt like more than that. Berger’s point-blank save on Pajor’s header that threatened to bring life to the waning moments of the game was superb, and the Germans should have real confidence knowing a keeper of her quality is in between the sticks.

Fußballgott: Sjoeke Nüsken

Germany’s pivots shared the play-making load with their fullbacks and wingers, neither getting close to recording the passes and touches of the two center-backs. However, they picked their moments to shine. Chelsea FC’s Nüsken showed off her prowess both going forward and tracking back. It was her recovery run and tackle on Pajor late that spared yet another Polish threat of late drama, and her narrowly missed open header in the 61st minute — which she really should have buried — belied what was a savvy run to ghost by defenders in the box and latch on to Klara Bühl’s cross. She also found herself in the right place, right time to smash a volley at Kinga Szemik’s goal from range, and it was not a bad effort. Her scoring moment will surely come in this tournament.

Der Bomber: Klara Bühl

The FC Bayern winger did not get on the scoresheet but it sure was not for lack of trying. Two minutes after her missed connection with Nüsken, she laid one on a platter for club teammate Lea Schüller, only to see the header blaze over the bar. Bühl was simply too much for her defenders to handle, supplying a leading six key passes and creating two ‘big’ chances, per Sofascore. Big game Bühl lived up to her nickname.

Klara Bühl vs Poland | #WEURO2025 Bühl was absolutely relentless all game. She kept running at the fullback and attacking the box consistently, making penetrative runs and creating chances with her crossing 11 progressive carries (most) 6 chances created (most) Big stage Bühl

— Yash (@odriozolite.bsky.social) 2025-07-04T22:30:51.840Z

Meisterin of the Match: Jule Brand

Who else? For all of the Germans’ control over the game they had trouble breaking down a fairly resolute Polish defense, and there were just enough breakaway opportunities the other way to turn the match in a very different direction. In the end, individual quality won out, Brand finding space and hitting a strike of positively stupendous quality to break the deadlock early in the second half:

This was SOME strike from Jule Brand ( #VfL ➡️ #OL ) to open the scoring for #GERPOL #WEURO2025 #GermanWNT

— Bavarian Football Works (@bavarianfbworks.bsky.social) 2025-07-04T20:58:16.193Z

That goal looks even better on the slow-mo replay, by the way: she absolutely launches it and it rockets into the top corner. And of course, it was Brand who supplied the delivery on Lea Schüller’s goal for Germany’s second.

The long-time Wolfsburg star is moving to Lyon this summer. Big things have long been expected of her and this tournament is a perfect stage to make that happen. On Friday night she looked well on her way.

Match Awards from Germany’s 2-0 win over Poland

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