The China Mail - England rally in six-goal Germany thriller to ease pressure on Southgate

The Three Lions had already been relegated from the top tier of the Nations League and the knives were out for Southgate after his faith in Harry Maguire backfired for two German goals early in the second half.

Centre-back Maguire has been publicly backed by the England boss despite being dropped at club level by Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.

Ilkay Gundogan slotted home the opener from the penalty spot after Maguire had gifted possession to Jamal Musiala and then chopped down the Bayern Munich midfielder.

Kai Havertz then curled brilliantly into the top corner after Maguire was dispossed in the German half.

England had failed to score from open play in any of their opening five games in Group A3.

But two goals in three minutes completely changed the atmosphere around Wembley and the scrutiny on Southgate's position heading to Qatar.

Luke Shaw was also restored to the starting line-up despite his lack of game time at United and started the fightback by volleying in at the back post.

Moments later, two of Southgate's substitutes combined to deadly effect as Bukayo Saka set up Mason Mount to curl home.

Harry Kane looked to have completed the turnaround from the penalty spot seven minutes from time after Nico Schlotterbeck's challenge on Jude Bellingham was punished following a VAR review.

Yet, there was more drama to come as Nick Pope spilled Serge Gnabry's shot and Havertz pounced on the rebound to snatch Germany a point.

Despite the disappointment at the concession of a late equaliser, there will be relief for Southgate that England's attack finally came to life after accusations that his conservative tactics were to blame for a lack of goals.

The home side had plenty of chances to end their drought even in a scoreless first half.

Raheem Sterling twice shot too close to Marc-Andre ter Stegen with just the German goalkeeper to beat, while Kane would have had a tap in but for a poor cross from Phil Foden.

Germany were looking to bounce back from their first defeat under Hansi Flick after their hopes of reaching the Nations League final four were ended by losing 1-0 at home to Hungary on Friday.

The visitors came alive after the break with Musiala, who played for England at youth level, particularly impressive.

Dutch referee Danny Makkelie needed the assistance of VAR to see Maguire's mistimed challenge on Musiala as he tried to atone for his error in giving the ball away.

Gundogan coolly slotted into the bottom corner and it seemed game over when Havertz arrowed home his shot from outside the box with 23 minutes to go.

However, three goals in 11 minutes got the England support back on side and gave the team some impetus to build on heading to Qatar.

Any doubt over who Southgate will start in goal against Iran on November 21 appears to over though, as long as Jordan Pickford has recovered from a thigh injury that kept him out of this squad.

Pope has impressed in his early weeks as Newcastle's new number one, but should have done much better to palm Gnabry's shot to safety and Havertz took full advantage.

S.Davis--ThChM