Undav scores twice for Germany in Nations League

Germany's rebuilding is on the right track.

Denis Undav scored a brace and the four-time World Cup winners extended their unbeaten record in the Nations League to three matches with a convincing 2-1 win at Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday.

Following the retirements of Manuel Neuer and Toni Kroos, coach Julian Nagelsmann's team started a new cycle and their clean and fluid display against a spirited Bosnia side bodes well for the future.

The Germans top their group after also thrashing Hungary 5-0 and drawing in the Netherlands 2-2.

In the absence of several stalwarts, the Germans played with confidence, developed complex attacking moves and gave the impression of enjoying themselves. They had plenty of chances to score more and had a couple of goals disallowed for offside.

Germany's only downside was its defensive lapse when Edin Dzeko pulled one back 20 minutes from time.

The visitors took the lead in the 30th minute at the conclusion of a move that showcased Florian Wirtz's cleverness. The unmarked midfielder collected a lofted pass in the box and, instead of trying his luck, cut an unexpected back pass to Denis Undav, who calmly finished off the move.

Undav, who marked his first start for Germany with a goal against the Netherlands, was clinical Friday.

His Stuttgart clubmate Maximilian Mittelstädt was the provider six minutes later with an excellent cross, and Undav doubled Germany’s lead with a clean tap-in from close range.

Bosnia’s Ermedin Demirovic, another Stuttgart player, hit the woodwork in the 35th, but Dzeko scored in the 70th with a header from a corner, his 67th goal for the national team.