Firmino is Brazil’s match-winner, Rudy loses with Die Mannschaft

The Brazil national team’s preparations for the Copa America in Chile are complete. After being brought on in the 59th minute of their 2-0 win over Mexico, Roberto Firmino was handed a start in Thursday morning’s 1-0 victory over Honduras. The 23-year-old crowned a good performance with the winning goal in the 33rd minute. Hoffenheim’s number 10 got 70 minutes and certainly gave Selecao head coach Carlos Dunga food for thought when it comes to him choosing his starting line-up for Brazil’s Copa America opener against Peru on Sunday.

Rudy plays from start to finish

Sebastian Rudy featured in his usual position for the Germany national side in Wednesday’s meeting with the USA – at right back. He may not have had a hand in Mario Götze’s opening goal for Die Mannschaft, but he had a number of good moments in a young back four. With the score at 1-1 following Mix Diskerud’s equaliser shortly before the break, Rudy made a vital tackle to deny Jürgen Klinsmann’s side from taking the lead. However, America went on to win the game 2-1 thanks to a late Bobby Wood goal. Germany’s next match is their European Championship qualifier against Gibraltar in Faro on Saturday (20:45 CEST).

Germany U21s off to Prague 

The Germany U21 national team have completed their training camp in Leogang ahead of this summer’s European Championship. The side, captained by TSG’s Kevin Volland, now have two days off, before heading to Prague on Saturday. Head coach Horst Hrubesch is positive ahead of the tournament: “I’m very happy with my team. We are ready for the European Championship.”

Their first group game is on 17th June against Serbia (20:45 CEST). “I feel Serbia will be very uncomfortable opponents. The opening group match will be a tough one, but we want to and have to overcome the challenge,” said the Hoffenheim attacker. Germany then face Denmark on 20th June (20:45 CEST), before rounding off Group A with a match against hosts Czech Republic on 23rd June (20:45 CEST). Volland has his sights set firmly on the tournament: “We’re all very focused, we’re enjoying our football and the goal is to reach the final.”

Qualifiers for Szalai and Bicakcic, TSG trio into U20 World Cup quarters 

EURO 2016 preparations are also on the cards for Adam Szalai and Ermin Bicakcic. Szalai came on for the second half of Hungary’s friendly against Lithuania on Friday and was able to celebrate a comfortable 4-0 win. Next up for them is a European qualifier against Finland in Helsinki on 13th June. Szalai’s TSG teammate Bicakcic will head to his homeland of Bosnia as they prepare to take on Israel in a qualifying match on 12th June.

Meanwhile, Germany have reached the quarterfinals of the U20 World Cup thanks to a 1-0 win over Nigeria. Marvin Schwäbe, Grischa Prömel and DFB-Team captain Kevin Akpoguma all played the full 90 minutes for Frank Wormuth’s side, who progressed courtesy of a goal from Werder Bremen’s Levin Öztunali. Germany will now face Mali in the quarters at 03:00 CEST on Sunday.