Featured Image Credit: beIN Sports
Topics: Toni Kroos, Germany, Euro 2024, France, Real Madrid
Ryan Smart
Topics: Toni Kroos, Germany, Euro 2024, France, Real Madrid
Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has provided an assist just seven seconds into his return to international football with Germany.
Kroos retired from international football in 2021 after a disappointing Euro 2020 tournament.
But he announced earlier this month that he had made himself available once again for the Germany squad ahead of Euro 2024.
Kroos promptly received a call-up to Julian Nagelsmann's squad for their friendlies against France and Netherlands - and he made an immediate impact.
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Named in the starting lineup to face France by Nagelsmann, it took the midfielder just seven seconds to assist Florian Wirtz for Germany's opener.
From kick-off, Kroos initially checked backwards before then firing a lofted pass towards Bayer Leverkusen star Wirtz, who took it down perfectly.
Wirtz then unleashed a stunning effort off his right boot from 25 yards that fizzed into the left corner of the net.
Take a look below:
The 34-year-old's return to international duty is a major boost for Germany as they look to win Euro 2024 in front of their own fans.
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They haven't lifted the European Championship since 1996 in England - the latest of their three tournament wins.
Explaining his decision to return to his international setup, Kroos wrote on Instagram: "Guys, short and painless: I will play for Germany again from March.
"Why? Because I was asked by the national coach, I'm up for it and I'm sure that a lot more is possible with the team at the European Championships than most people just believe!"
As hosts of Euro 2024, Germany will face Scotland in the tournament's curtain-raiser on June 14.
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They then take on Hungary and Switzerland in their other games as part of a competitive Group A, with up to three teams from the group reaching the round of 16 stage dependent on results.