Germany U23 produced an entertaining attacking performance against Belgium U23 on Friday, with Loreen Bender at the heart of much of the early pressure as the hosts claimed a 4-2 victory. In a match that swung back and forth for long stretches, Germany’s forwards kept asking questions, and Bender’s energy in advanced areas gave the home side another edge.
From the opening stages, Germany looked intent on playing on the front foot. Their movement between the lines unsettled Belgium, and the breakthrough arrived when Sophie Weidauer curled in the opening goal after a well-worked move. It was the kind of start Germany wanted, and it rewarded the urgency they showed in possession.
Bender quickly became one of the most noticeable figures in the attack. She nearly connected with a direct finish after a dangerous sequence in the box, narrowly missing the target as Germany kept Belgium pinned back. Her willingness to arrive in scoring positions added bite to nearly every forward spell.
Even without a goal, Bender’s performance carried the feel of a player constantly on the verge of a decisive moment. She stretched the Belgian back line with intelligent runs, offered a quick outlet around the area and remained active as Germany searched for a second goal before the break. A late effort from her was turned away for a corner, another reminder of the pressure Germany were building.
Belgium, though, refused to fade from the contest. A penalty converted by Karlijn Helsen pulled the visitors level in the first half, and the equalizer changed the mood of the match just enough to force Germany to reset. What had looked like a smooth evening suddenly became more complicated, with Belgium growing steadier after surviving the early storm.
The second half demanded another response from Germany, and it came with conviction. Luca Birkholz became the decisive figure on the scoresheet, restoring momentum and then taking control of the contest with a ruthless finishing display. Germany’s attacking unit stayed aggressive, and Bender’s presence helped keep the game tilted toward the Belgian penalty area.
Belgium struck again to make it 2-2, ensuring the friendly never lost its competitive edge, but Germany had more thrust in the closing stages. Their pressure finally told, and Birkholz’s late goals gave the scoreline the shape the home side’s attacking ambition deserved. It was a reminder that even in development-level internationals, sharpness in the final third can decide everything.
For Bender, the evening still read as a strong contribution. She started, found dangerous pockets, created anxiety for the Belgian defense and looked fully in step with Germany’s attacking tempo. On a night when Birkholz took the headlines with the finishing, Bender supplied much of the movement and menace that helped make Germany U23’s attack look so lively.
