A brilliant performance from Angel Di Maria spurred Argentina to a crushing 4-2 international friendly win over world champions Germany in Dusseldorf, yesterday, in an entertaining re-match of July’s World Cup final.
Despite the absence of injured captain Lionel Messi, Argentina ran circles around the World Cup winners on their home turf in the first match for both teams since Germany’s 1-0 extra-time victory in the final in Brazil.
Germany coach Joachim Loew put only four of the starting 11 that won Germany’s fourth World Cup on the pitch in the warm-up match for their Euro 2016 campaign that starts on Sunday against Scotland.
Captain Philipp Lahm, striker Miroslav Klose and defender Per Mertesacker, who all retired following the World Cup triumph, were hailed by the sell-out crowd of 51,132 while several other key players were missing through injury.
The inexperienced Germany defence could not contain new Manchester United signing Di Maria in the first half.
He set up the first goal in the 21st minute with a pinpoint lob to the penalty spot where Sergio Aguero slipped away from his marker and beat Manuel Neuer with an unstoppable volley from point-blank range.
Nineteen minutes later Di Maria broke free on the right near the touch line when he lofted a soft cross back to Erik Lamela, who smashed a volley past a frustrated-looking Neuer. Federico Fernandez made it 3-0 two minutes after the intermission before Di Maria scored a superb lob to make it 4-0 in the 50th minute.
Andre Schuerrle got one back for Germany in the 52nd minute, tapping in after a scramble in front of Sergio Romero’s goal and World Cup hero Mario Goetze made it4-2 in the 78th minute.
At Wembley, new captain Wayne Rooney rescued Roy Hodgson from embarrassment as a record-low crowd watched England sneak past Norway in a dull and uninspiring friendly.
Just 40,181 turned up to the national stadium to watch England register a 1-0 win thanks to Rooney’s 68th minute penalty.
It was the lowest England crowd at the new Wembley by more than eight thousand. Six of the last seven Johnstone’s Paint Trophy finals have been better attended.
Those that stayed away sent a clear message to Hodgson’s team – that they would have to win their support back with an impressive display following the disappointment of the World Cup.
But the majority of the fans who went to north-west London last night will feel they did not get value for money.
England’s first shot on target was the one that Rooney rifled past Orjan Haskjold Nyland from 12 yards – and their build-up play was terribly slow at times, particularly in the first half.
It was only when Rooney’s penalty hit the back of the net did England start to play anywhere near their best.
Danny Welbeck gave the Arsenal fans in the crowd a glimpse of his potential with a few mazy runs while Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge also showed flashes of positivity.
But Hodgson knows he will need to see an improvement from his men to win in Switzerland on Monday and to get the crowds flocking back to Wembley Stadium again.
In Moscow, Alexander Ker-zhakov became Russia’s record goalscorer with a double against Azerbaijan in a 4-0 win.
Sergey Ignashevich and Vladimir Granat were also on target in Russia’s first game since their disappointing showing at the Brazil World Cup this summer, where they failed to get past the group stage.
Summaries
Czech Rep. 0
USA 1
Bedoya 39;
Denmark 1
Agger 35 pen;
Turkey 2
Sahan 55; Tufan 90;
England 1
Rooney 68 pen;
Norway 0
Germany 2
Schuerrle 52; Goetze 78;
Argentina 4
Aguero 21; Lamela 40; Fernandez 47; Di Maria 50;
Ireland 2
Doyle 20; Pearce 81;
Oman 0
Latvia 2
Sabala 16, 75;
Armenia 0
Russia 4
Azerbaijan 0
Kerzhakov 6, 12; Ignashevich 41; Granat 81;
Ukraine 1
Bezus 63;
Moldova 0
Playing today
Bosnia vs Liechtenstein - 17.00
Slovakia vs Malta - 18.20
Sweden vs Estonia - 19.45
Croatia vs Cyprus - 20.15
Belgium vs Australia - 20.45
Italy vs Netherlands - 20.45
France vs Spain - 21.00