Germany vs. Israel: Score, Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Analysis

Germany defeated Israel in an international friendly match on Thursday by the score of 2-0. The Germans controlled the match from start to finish, and they will ride plenty of momentum in to Euro 2012. They left no doubt who the better football club was, and Israel has to be disappointed in their performance.

Tweets of the Day

Jan Aage Fjortoft stressed how critical it was for the Germans to find success against Israel:

"

Watching Germany vs Israel at #Viasatfotball After losing 5-3 to Swiss, they need to gain confidence tonight before the Euros

— Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) May 31, 2012"

One football fan delivered in-depth, eye-opening insight early in the match (via @aeroberg):

"

This Dutch referee in the Germany-Israel game has very nice fluffy blond hair #justsaying

— Berg (@aeroberg) May 31, 2012"

This tweet from another fan ended up being the story of the contest (via @dappankuthu):

"

Israel playing defensive. I hate defensive :| #DeutschlandvIsrael

— Prakaash (@dappankuthu) May 31, 2012"

Must-See Highlight

Take a look at Mario Gomez’s spectacular goal to put the Germans up 1-0.                                       

Grades for Key Germany Players

Manuel Neuer: A+

Germany’s defense didn’t allow much to get through them, but when Israel did slip through the cracks, Neuer extinguished each threat. He finished the match with three saves that kept the shutout alive.

Mario Gomez: A

Gomez scored Germany’s first goal of the match 40 minutes in. While the Germans managed to win by two scores, Gomez’s goal was all they needed to beat Israel.

Grades for Key Israel Players

Ariel Harush: C

If Harush got as much help from his defense as Neuer got from Germany’s, that match’s outcome may have been different. The Germans launched seven shots on goal, and Harush stopped five of them. Five saves just weren’t for the W, though.

Yossi Benayoun: D

For being Israel’s captain, Benayoun didn’t do much at all. They desperately needed a spark, but he couldn’t provide it.

Deciding Factor: Shots/Time of Possession

Israel didn’t fire a single shot in the entire first half. By the end of the game, they had only taken four.

Comparatively, Germany recorded 23 on the afternoon. They also controlled the ball 64 percent of the time.

Man of the Match: Manuel Neuer

Germany’s defense as a whole deserves the game ball, but if a single player were to be labeled Man of the Match, it’d have to be the man behind the defense. Even if the Germans hadn’t played so well defensively, I’m not sure it would’ve made a difference. Neuer played fabulous.

What’s Next?

Germany will face off against Portugal on Saturday, June 9th , while Israel will take on Hungary Friday, June 15th. 

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels