Draxler delivers arguably his best performance for Germany
LILLE, France (AP) - Julian Draxler isn't sure whether his performance against Slovakia was his best yet for Germany.
Others are unlikely to have such doubts.
Draxler proved a constant menace as Germany overwhelmed Slovakia 3-0 in a round of 16 European Championship match in the northern French city of Lille on Sunday.
A display that he capped with a goal just after the hour mark.
By then, the 22-year-old left winger had long put his stamp on Germany's victory and he was deservedly named man of the match.
Draxler rarely stood still, creating space for himself and his teammates.
His dribbling skills came in handy too, notably when Germany scored its second goal minutes before halftime. Draxler dashed into the Slovakia penalty area from the left wing to set up Mario Gomez perfectly at the near post.
Draxler crowned his display in the 63rd minute, when he thundered in a volley from close range that left Slovakia goalkeeper Matus Kozacik no chance.
"Shortly after the game it's hard to tell whether it's my best game or not," Draxler said. "I am just happy I could help the team."
Coach Joachim Loew took him off nine minutes later.
"It wasn't easy for me as I didn't play the previous game," he said. "But we have such a strong squad that it's no problem when you sometimes don't play. I showed in our trainings that I was ready."
Draxler started Germany's first two matches at Euro 2016 against Ukraine and Poland alongside Mario Goetze. Overlooked by Loew for the last game against Northern Ireland, Draxler this time replaced Goetze.
He immediately made his presence feel with some gutsy one-on-one duels.
"The coach asked me to do it. He has given me a lot of confidence," said Draxler, who scored only his second goal in 22 appearances for the national team, and his first in three years.
Draxler made his breakthrough at Schalke before moving to Wolfsburg last season. He made his international debut in 2012 and first netted for Germany in a friendly 4-3 loss to the United States in June 2013. He was a member of the 2014 World Cup-winning squad but had limited playing time.
Loew praised Draxler for "showing the courage" to create danger with his dribbling.
"He can do that very well thanks to his speed," Loew said. "Draxler had a break last match, today he was fresh again."
Draxler was reluctant to speak about his possible role in Germany's next game - Saturday's quarterfinal against two-time defending champion Spain or Italy in Bordeaux.
"We don't need to talk about it too much," Draxler said. "This will be a top draw opponent for us either way."