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• 'Special' Fullkrug can pull Germany along – Flick

  Germany coach Hansi Flick credited Niclas Fullkrug with having the ability to "pull the team along" after the striker's double against Peru.

  Fullkrug's two first-half goals ensured Euro 2024 hosts Germany claimed a routine 2-0 victory in their opening match of 2023.

  Germany dominated Saturday's friendly in Mainz, and only a twist of the rules prevented Kai Havertz making it 3-0 in the second half, with the Chelsea forward's first-time finish on the rebound after he hit the post with a penalty disallowed as no other player had touched the ball.

  Flick reserved special praise for Fullkrug, who has netted five goals in as many international games, and became the first Werder Bremen player to start for Germany since Serge Gnabry in 2016.

  "Niclas is a player who is special, he is very confident, he wants to win and can pull the team along. He also gives the team a lot of positive energy," Flick told Sky Sport.

  Sandro Wagner is the only other player this century to have scored five goals across his first five appearances for Germany.

  However, there are elements for Fullkrug to work on, with Flick noting: "There were a few situations that I wasn’t happy with today.

  "If we play forward, we have to have a certain seriousness about it.

  "Niclas has also had one or two situations where he can be better, but he's still there for goals and he scored them."

  Germany's game was their first since their disappointing showing at the World Cup, where they suffered a group-stage exit.

  However, Germany are on a 13-game unbeaten run in friendlies (W8 D5) equalling their record, which was set between 1994 and 1996.

  "I think you could see that the team played with a lot of dynamism, especially when it came to attacking," Flick said.

  "A lot of things were good, but not yet at 100 per cent, although you couldn't expect because we didn't train very much.

  "The team has never played together in this formation, but there were still a few situations that we played out well, where the last pass was missing.

  "We scored two nice goals and kept a clean sheet, which was a focus for us this week."

• Joselu basks in unforgettable Spain debut: 'I still don't believe it!'

  Joselu was in dreamland after scoring twice on his Spain debut to help La Roja beat Norway 3-0 in Malaga on Saturday.

  New head coach Luis de la Fuente named a somewhat unfamiliar squad ahead of their two opening Euro 2024 qualifiers as he began his tenure after replacing Luis Enrique.

  Joselu's call-up was long overdue in the eyes of many, given he had reached double figures for LaLiga goals in each of the previous three seasons.

  He was introduced at La Rosaleda in the second half with Spain stuttering unconvincingly towards a 1-0 win, but he scored twice to put the game to bed.

  As such, he became the oldest debutant to score for Spain since September 2006, two days before his 33rd birthday, and he was left in disbelief.

  "The truth is that I still don't believe it," he told TVE. "This is everything a player can have and in the end, the daily work has had its reward.

  "I think I would especially like to thank my wife and my children, and my mother, who have come here today.

  "The truth is that I am not believing it."

  Joselu was also Spain's oldest debutant since 2006, with De la Fuente opting to pick a few somewhat unfashionable options who were largely neglected by his predecessor.

  The striker subsequently paid tribute to De la Fuente for giving him the opportunity.

  "I thank him for everything, being here, trusting me, being on the first list," he said.

  "I think I have responded more than enough.

  "Age doesn't matter to me because I feel like a kid, I feel like an 18-year-old kid. I want to enjoy this; I want to hug my family because today is an incredible day."

  Joselu may feel he has done enough to earn a maiden start next time out, when Spain are set to face Scotland at Hampden Park on Tuesday.

  "Knowing the players and giving them confidence is our job, but all the credit belongs to him," De la Fuente said of Joselu. 

  "We have recognised the great work he does every day at his club and I am happy for him and for everyone else."

• Spain 3-0 Norway: Late Joselu brace punishes wasteful visitors in De la Fuente's first game

  Joselu scored two late goals on his international debut as Spain opened Euro 2024 qualification with a 3-0 win over Norway at La Rosaleda in Luis de la Fuente's first game in charge.

  Spain were by no means impressive, with the Erling Haaland-less visitors wasting several fine opportunities, but Joselu repaid De la Fuente's faith towards the end.

  De la Fuente – appointed Luis Enrique's successor after World Cup elimination – named an unfamiliar-looking starting XI yet saw his side take an early lead through Dani Olmo.

  They held Norway at bay through some excellent Kepa Arrizabalaga saves and a big miss from Alexander Sorloth, and substitute Joselu punished them with two goals in as many minutes.

  It took Spain just 13 minutes to get the first goal of their new era, Alejandro Balde's cross-cum-shot flicked home by Olmo.

  They needed a brilliant save from Kepa just before the half-hour to remain ahead, however, the goalkeeper turning Fredrik Aursnes' blistering close-range volley over.

  Mikel Merino went close in similar circumstances a minute later, only for Orjan Nyland to tip the ball around the post.

  Chances aside, Spain were second best for significant periods and had another fortunate escape early in the second half.

  Marcus Pedersen's goal-bound effort was crucially deflected by Nacho Fernandez, and Kepa got back to hook the careering ball off the line.

  Sorloth then volleyed off target in the 80th minute and Spain duly capitalised.

  Joselu nodded in Fabian Ruiz's cross from deep, before smashing home from close range when Mikel Oyarzabal's shot was deflected into his path, capping a memorable night for the Espanyol striker.