Germany's women's national soccer team achieved a 4-2 victory against Australia, with Ena Mahmutovic, a 22-year-old goalkeeper from Bayern Munich, performing notably in goal. Mahmutovic is seen as a potential successor to Ann-Katrin Berger, who is expected to remain available for the next tournament cycle despite missing the recent friendlies due to commitments in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Head coach Christian Wück expressed confidence in Mahmutovic's abilities, stating, "Ena deserves to play the next match," and noted her previous clean sheet in Slovenia during a World Cup qualifier.
The match against Australia showcased the talents of several players, including Melissa Kössler, who scored her first two international goals, and contributions from center back Camilla Küver and Sjoeke Nüsken. Wück highlighted the team's strong performance despite the absence of key players like captain Giulia Gwinn and top scorer Lea Schüller.
Mahmutovic's rise as a first-choice goalkeeper at Bayern Munich, where she secured her position over Maria Luisa Grohs, positions her well for future opportunities with the national team. Comparisons have been drawn between Mahmutovic and Jonas Urbig, a rising star for the men's team, both of whom were born in 2003 in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Mahmutovic expressed her excitement about competing against international teams, stating, "It's always something special, of course – especially playing against a team from another continent. I think testing ourselves against them is very helpful as we look ahead to the World Cup." Bayern director Bianca Rech has praised Mahmutovic as "the future of the national team," urging Wück to provide her with regular playing time.
Despite a challenging debut for Germany nearly two years ago, Mahmutovic has been included in the squad for the upcoming 2025 Euros. Her journey to becoming a goalkeeper was initially met with resistance from her father, who believed she would excel as an outfield player. Mahmutovic's talent has been recognized by her coaches, with Bayern coach Jose Barcala stating, "She is one of the most talented goalkeepers in the world," emphasizing her potential to influence matches. Mahmutovic aims to seize future opportunities to demonstrate her skills for Germany.