Florian Wirtz delivered the defining performance of his international career to date, scoring two goals and providing one assist in Germany’s dramatic 4-3 victory over Switzerland on Friday night.
In a match full of momentum fluctuations and attacking quality, it was Wirtz who ultimately made the difference, and he did so with a goal that is already being discussed as a candidate for the 2026 FIFA Puskas Award.
Florian Wirtz joins the conversation between German beauties and the Puskas Prize
There were no shortage of standout moments in the seven-goal thriller, but Wirtz’s shot in the second half stood out above the rest. With the game tied at 2-2 after an hour, Germany executed what at first appeared to be a routine short corner. Serge Gnabry passed the ball to Wirtz near the edge of the penalty area and the Liverpool playmaker positioned himself as if preparing to deliver a cross into the box.
Wirtz’s unstoppable shot
Instead, he recognized space at the far post and curled an accurate and unstoppable shot past Gregor Korbel. Their execution and vision turned what seemed like a standard set piece into individual moments of brilliance. This goal gave Germany the lead for the first time in a match that had already been a back-and-forth battle.
Switzerland fought back again to make it 3-3 and continued the pattern of momentum changes, but Wirths wasn’t done yet. Late in the match, he scored another goal to seal the victory, completing a performance that combined creativity, composure and decisive finishing.
The 22-year-old’s impact wasn’t just limited to his two goals. He contributed to Germany’s offensive build-up throughout the game, including providing assists for first-half goals by Jonathan Tarr and Gnabry. His involvement in all stages of the attack emphasized his role as the focal point of the team’s attacking play.
Time is of the essence before the World Cup
Performance timing is important. Wirtz went into the international break under intense scrutiny after failing to score in his last eight games for Liverpool. His form prompted criticism, including comments from Craig Burley, who questioned whether his high-profile move to Anfield was the right move. Wirths had a clear response against Switzerland, showing the qualities that led Liverpool to invest over £100m in him.
For Germany, this result is encouraging as the team continues to develop for future competitions. Games like this highlight both the attacking potential and the defensive vulnerabilities that still need to be addressed. Conceding three goals is still a concern, but having a player who can create moments like Wirtz’s jaw-dropping shot gives the team room for mistakes that few others have.
For Florian, the night cemented his status as one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. Performances at international level often carry weight, and performing in high-scoring, high-pressure games only enhances his reputation. If his curling effort from the edge of the box is shortlisted for Puskas, it will be a reminder of how quickly a moment can change both the match and the narrative. In a match characterized by chaos and quality in equal measure, Florian Wirths stood out as the decisive man.
