At a friendly on Tuesday in Cologne, Belgium defeated struggling hosts Germany 3-2 thanks to a goal and two assists from Kevin De Bruyne.
De Bruyne assisted on both goals that gave his team a 2-0 lead within 10 minutes before scoring one of his own late in the second to make things worse for Germany in advance of their hosting of the European Championship the following year.
Domenico Tedesco, the new coach of Belgium, stressed that performance in these friendlies matters regardless of the outcome.
It's challenging to play here. There are several highly talented players on the German team.
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After several unexpectedly early departures from big competitions, Germany hoped to get back on track, but they suffered their first defeat to Belgium since 1954.
According to Germany coach Hansi Flick, Belgium played cruelly, who claimed that his team was "too restrained, too passive, and unable to put the opponent under pressure."
The four-time world champions lost to England in the last 16 of the Euro 2020 tournament, and they exited the World Cup group stage for the second time in a row last year in Qatar.
Leandro Trossard of Arsenal was moved up front by Belgium's German-born coach Tedesco. The substitution was a success right away as the Atletico Madrid winger scored six minutes later on the break.
Romelu Lukaku, who scored all three goals in Belgium's 3-0 rout of Sweden in Euro qualifying on Friday, added another with a left-footed shot with De Bruyne's assistance.
Three starting centre defenders were injured, and shaken Germany appeared almost sure to give up a third goal.
Midway through the first half, Emre Can replace the injured Leon Goretzka, giving the home team some much-needed security.
Following a Lukaku handball penalty, Niclas Fuellkrug converted it to give Germany the lead. This was the late-blooming Werder Bremen striker's sixth goal in six international appearances.
Germany attempted to equalize in the second half, but they could not do so. Timo Werner's strike was disallowed for offside, the closest Germany came to scoring.
Germany captain Joshua Kimmich remarked, "The first 30 minutes were dreadful; for the first 15 we weren't on the pitch at all."
But the second half was undoubtedly better, as we had anticipated before the game.
With just over 10 minutes left, De Bruyne scored the game-winning goal with a one-touch finish with Trossard's help, capping off an outstanding captaincy display.
With three minutes left, Serge Gnabry gave Germany a chance for a tie, but the visitors held on for a boosting victory.
