Youssoufa Moukoko Nets Hat-Trick for German U21 in EM Qualifier vs. Bulgaria

Once more, Youssoufa Moukoko, the Borussia Dortmund striker, took center stage, propelling the U21 team to their second qualifying victory for the 2025 European Championship in Slovakia. With Moukoko netting a hat-trick (40th/49th/69th), the DFB squad secured a 3-2 (1-1) triumph over Bulgaria in Sofia. This win catapults them to the summit of Group D with six points. Remarkably, Moukoko has now amassed eleven goals in just nine U21 appearances.

The 18-year-old had already scored twice in the opening qualifier against Kosovo (3:0). His BVB colleague Karim Adeyemi, who wanted to recommend himself for Julian Nagelsmann and the European Championship via the juniors, was inconspicuous. Stanislav Shopov had given the underdogs the lead (25th). Nikola Iliew (90.+3) scored shortly before the end.

The third qualifying match in Israel, originally scheduled for Tuesday, was postponed by UEFA due to the Hamas terrorist attacks. The players will return to their clubs already on Saturday.

In the absence of the stricken Cologne player Eric Martel, shooting star Maximilian Beier of TSG Hoffenheim was allowed to lead the DFB selection onto the field as captain. „He has earned that. That’s leading by performance,“ coach Antonio Di Salvo said before the game about the 20-year-old, who arrived with five goals for the season and plenty of confidence.

Unlike Adeyemi and Moukoko, who are currently only substitutes for the runners-up after the signing of Niclas Füllkrug at the latest. With Beier and the BVB duo, the motto was clear: pace and goal threat. But against deep-lying Bulgarians, who had started with four points from two games, the DFB selection struggled.

Adeyemi was an asset, but he didn’t manage much. His first goal was more of a harmless return (12th), and he was guilty of many minor fouls, ball losses and an early yellow card for a scuffle (14th).

Bulgaria patiently waited for counterattacking opportunities and struck first with Shopov placing the ball neatly into the corner from 15 meters. Germany faced difficulties in their quest for an equalizer, but Moukoko’s solo brilliance was an unexpected game-changer. His second goal was gifted by Bulgaria’s goalkeeper, Plamen Andreew, who allowed a seemingly harmless cross to slip through his grasp. Moukoko then secured his hat-trick, positioning himself perfectly to capitalize on Ansgar Knauff’s well-placed cross for the third goal.

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