Argentina recorded a comfortable 4-2 victory over Germany as the two sides met in a repeat of the World Cup final on Wednesday evening.
Angel di Maria was undoubtedly the star of the show in Dusseldorf as he created goals for Sergio Aguero, Erik Lamela and Federico Fernandez, before finding the net in the 50th minute to make it 4-0 to the visitors.
Germany, who were wasteful in front of goal for most of the evening, responded through Andre Schurrle and a Fernandez own goal, but Argentina held on for a deserved win over the world champions.
Read below to find out how the drama unfolded.
Good evening everyone. What a treat we have on our hands tonight. If one meeting between these two giants wasn't enough this year, Germany and Argentina face off tonight in a repeat of the World Cup final. I'll be talking you through this one.
It was July 13 when these two sides last met. Mario Gotze was the hero that night in Rio as he scored the winner in extra time to secure the World Cup for Germany. A win for Argentina this evening wouldn't heal that wound, but it would be a positive start to life under new head coach Gerardo Martino.
GERMANY: Manuel Neuer; Kevin Grosskreutz, Matthias Ginter, Benedikt Howedes, Erik Durm; Christoph Kramer, Toni Kroos, Andre Schurrle, Marco Reus, Julian Draxler; Mario Gomez
ARGENTINA: Sergio Romero; Pablo Zabaleta, Federico Fernandez, Martin Demichelis, Marcos Rojo; Enzo Perez, Javier Mascherano, Lucas Biglia; Erik Lamela, Angel Di Maria, Sergio Aguero
The teams are in from both managers. It promises to be an exciting evening in Dusseldorf. For Germany, the departure of Miroslav Klose has given Mario Gomez another chance to prove that he is the right man to lead the line for this team. Schurrle, Reus and Draxler will provide the main support for the striker, with the likes of Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil and Mats Hummels waiting on the bench as Joachim Low looks ahead to Sunday's Euro qualifier against Scotland.
It's always a surprise to see Lionel Messi not in the Argentina side, but his injury has given an opportunity to others tonight. Erik Lamela, in particular, will be desperate to impress after making a promising start to the season with Tottenham Hotspur. Sergio Aguero starts in attack, while Manchester United duo Marcos Rojo and Angel Di Maria are both included.
Both sets of players are out on the pitch, but there's a small presentation involving Philipp Lahm, who announced his retirement from international football after Germany's World Cup triumph. This is a fantastic team, but any manager would miss a player like Lahm.
After the German supporters waved goodbye to Lahm, Klose and Per Mertesacker, the kickoff has been delayed slightly, but we're ready for the action to begin now. Can Argentina get some revenge?
Argentina get the game underway in Dusseldorf. There's a fantastic atmosphere inside the ground already.
Decent start to the match from Argentina, with the full backs on either side being asked to go forward during an extended spell of possession.
Germany are settling well, and are forcing Argentina to chase the ball around the pitch now. A couple of early challenges suggests that the term 'friendly' is a loose one tonight.
Mascherano has already proven what a key player he is for Argentina in the early stages. The skipper has made a couple of crucial interceptions, and is dictating the tempo in midfield.
SAVE! Gomez breaks free of the Argentina defence to collect an excellent pass from Kroos, but his effort is poor, allowing Romero to make the save.
Di Maria has threatened to make an impact twice in the previous two minutes, and has just gone close with a powerful volley which drifted over the crossbar.
Romero is involved once again to punch a corner clear. Germany are looking the better of the two sides, but Argentina have looked dangerous when attempting to counter.
A clever corner routine ends with Di Maria's corner finding Aguero, but the Man City forward is unable to turn in the box to unleash an effort. Germany break quickly with Reus and Draxler, who fails to keep the move alive in the final third.
Germany's desire to retrieve the ball as quickly as possible is impressive every time you watch Low's side. Argentina are matching the home team's intensity without the ball, but have often been sloppy in possession.
It's a battle in midfield at the moment as the creative players on the pitch struggle to make an impact. Draxler may have a problem, with Lukas Podolski being asked to warm up on the touchline.
YELLOW CARD! Nothing wrong with this decision. Demichelis is very late with a sliding challenge on Reus, and is correctly booked.
Argentina look concerned when the hosts break in numbers, but Germany have struggled to pick the right ball so far in this match. Low looks happy to allow his team to work on the counter attack.
YELLOW CARD! It's a second booking inside 20 minutes as Draxler chops down Mascherano after losing the ball in a promising area.
GOAL! GERMANY 0-1 ARGENTINA (AGUERO)
Argentina take their first chance of the match to break the deadlock. Di Maria displays all of his class by delivering an excellent cross with the outside of his boot to find Aguero, who beats the offside trap to convert from close range.
CHANCE! It should be 1-1. Demichelis makes a dreadful mistake to gift possession to Reus, who does well to pick out Kroos. The Real Madrid midfielder ignores Draxler inside the box before drilling a shot just wide of the post.
SAVE! Zabaleta, Di Maria and Perez are all involved as the ball is worked to Lamela just inside the box. The Spurs forward targets the bottom corner, but Neuer is able to make a decent save. Argentina are growing in confidence, and the home fans do not like it.
SAVE! Romero to the rescue again following another error. Kramer does superbly well to retain possession on the edge of the box, and the ball eventually reaches Gomez, who strikes his effort straight at the Argentina shot-stopper.
SHOT! Every Manchester United supporter in the world should be watching this game. Di Maria is putting on a show as he sprints wide before cutting inside and firing a low effort straight at Neuer. Germany are struggling to handle him at the moment.
You can hear the frustration when a German attack breaks down. Argentina are trying to make the pitch look as narrow as possible when they are forced back, and are now looking the more dangerous side on the break.
SUBSTITUTION: Draxler has been struggling for most of the first half, and is now replaced by Podolski with 12 minutes remaining in the first half.
Aguero attempts to weave some more magic on the edge of the box, but a slip at the crucial moment sees a promising move collapse. Martino will be very happy with Argentina's display so far.
Reus chooses to pass, rather than shoot, inside the box and he's forced to settle for a corner. Argentina are then able to clear the resulting cross.
A clever free kick from Kroos catches Rojo being lazy inside the box. Schurrle collects the ball before sending a sliced effort out of play for a throw in. Not a great moment!
GOAL! GERMANY 0-2 ARGENTINA (LAMELA)
Oh my, this is stunning from Argentina! They pass the ball around as if the German defenders are schoolboys in the middle of the pitch. Di Maria collects the ball just inside the box, and chips a beautiful pass to Lamela, who finishes off a lovely move by volleying into the top corner. What a strike!
Argentina, and in particular Di Maria, have been very impressive. The inexperienced German defence has looked nervous from the first whistle. Argentina are happy to sit deeper, but are threatening every time they break in numbers.
CHANCE! It's another shocker from Gomez. A powerful strike from Reus is too hot for Romero to handle. The ball drops to Gomez, who has plenty of space in the box, but he miscues his effort wide from a great position.
HALF TIME: GERMANY 0-2 ARGENTINA
Well, this is certainly not what the home supporters were expecting tonight. The World Cup winners were expected to put on a show, but they've been shocked by Argentina in the opening 45 minutes. Di Maria has been sensational throughout, and his two assists have given the visitors a clear advantage. Germany have had their chances, but are lacking a killer instinct in the final third.
I'm sure there will be changes at the break. Low will have one eye on Sunday's meeting with Scotland, and so will a number of his players. The likes of Ginter, Grosskreutz and Durm have been asked to step up at the back, but they've been poor against some world-class attackers.
It was Germany who started the match looking to make an impact with fast counter attacks, but Argentina have repeated the trick, and enjoyed more success. Aguero hasn't been afraid to drop deeper, and it's been the late run forwards of Perez, Lamela and Di Maria which has caused the problems for the hosts.
SUBSTITUTION: Roman Weidenfeller is off the bench as Neuer gets a break ahead of Sunday's match. Podolski is now captain for the hosts. Germany will start the second half.
There was also a change at the break for Argentina, with Augusto Fernandez replacing Perez.
GOAL! GERMANY 0-3 ARGENTINA (F. FERNANDEZ)
Di Maria is at it again as he whips in a wonderful free kick to set up Argentina's third of the night. Ginter loses Federico Fernandez inside the box, and the Swansea City new boy heads past a helpless Weidenfeller at the back post. Poor defending from the hosts.
GOAL! GERMANY 0-4 ARGENTINA (DI MARIA)
It's turning into a thrashing in Dusseldorf. Di Maria scores the goal his wonderful display deserves as he exchanges passes with Zabaleta before sprinting clear of the German defence and chipping the ball over Weidenfeller. What a goal!
GOAL! GERMANY 1-4 ARGENTINA (SCHURRLE)
Germany pull one back! Schurrle is left unmarked at corner, and he's able to tap home from close range after seeing his first effort blocked by Romero. Martino won't be happy with his defence there.
It's been a remarkable start to the second half, and we're only just beginning to see some calm out on the pitch. Argentina continue to look threating, especially when Di Maria find himself with the ball at his feet.
SUBSTITUTIONS: There's a great reception as Thomas Muller and Mario Gotze, two of the heroes from Brazil, come on to replace Schurrle and Gomez, who has been poor on his return to the team.
Germany have pushed further up the pitch in an attempt to limit the space on offer for the visitors, but Argentina are responding pretty well to the change in approach. Excellent pressing on show from both sides.
Don't be surprised if we see a few more goals in the final 30 minutes. Argentina look capable of breaking through every time the hosts lose the ball, despite the extended spell of pressure from the world champions in the past few minutes.
Lamela shows what infuriates his followers as he unsuccessfully attempts a tricky pass rather than taking an easier option. The Spurs has the quality others dream of, so hopefully we'll see him mature at White Hart Lane this year.
Excellent from Romero as he relieves the pressure on his teammates by charging off his line to collect a corner from Reus. The frustration of the home fans is clear tonight.
It's nearly a fourth assist for Di Maria as he cuts inside in the latter stages of yet another counter attack to deliver a cross which just evades the outstretched boot of Lamela at the back post.
CHANCE! Much better from Germany as they work the ball forward quickly. Gotze finds Reus with a beautiful flick on the edge of the box, but his former Borussia Dortmund teammate can only fire wide. Lamela is off moments later as Fernando Gago gets the chance to impress. Promising night for Lamela.
YELLOW CARD! Podolski is the latest player to receive a caution following a late challenge on Zabaleta close to the right touchline.
SUBSTITUTION: Low will probably feel that this match is beyond his side now as he makes another change to bring Sebastian Rudy on for Kroos.
Di Maria delivers an excellent cross from the free kick given away by Podolski, but Ginter does well to clear under pressure at the back post. Zabaleta needed treatment after that challenge. He should be fine to continue.
Germany enjoying a long spell of possession in midfield, but they're struggling to pick the gaps at this late stage. Di Maria comes close to creating another chance for himself at the other end as Weidenfeller is forced off the line to deny the Man Utd midfielder.
WOODWORK! Durm sprints down the left wing before picking out Gotze, who sets the ball up for Reus. His effort looks destined for the far corner, but the post intervenes to ensure it remains 4-1.
GOAL! GERMANY 2-4 ARGENTINA (F. FERNANDEZ OG)
Romero opens the door slightly for Germany with a dreadful mistake. He fails to deal with a cross into the box, and the ball reaches Gotze, whose volley is diverted into the net by a helpless Fernandez.
SUBSTITUTION: Mariano Andujar is off the bench to replace Romero, whose night ends with a disappointing error, while Hugo Campagnaro is on for Zabaleta. Antonio Rudiger was also introduced a few moments ago in place of Howedes.
SUBSTITUTION: The changes keep on coming as Aguero's shift comes an end, with Nicolas Gaitan coming on for the closing stages.
Germany are being urged forward by their fans, but Argentina are doing a decent job of applying pressure to the ball when they could be forgiven for retreating. It's been a thriller. Will there be more drama late on?
SUBSTITUTION: It's not often you forget about Messi when watching Argentina, but Di Maria has stolen the show tonight in his teammate's absence. Three assists and a goal for the midfielder. Ricky Alvarez is his replacement.
It's Germany doing most of the pressing late on as the hosts come close to finding another goal when a Reus free kick causes problems for Argentina in the box. One more goal would make things interesting.
Muller, who has struggled to make an impact since arriving in this match, chips a clever pass to Gotze, whose first touch is surprisingly poor as the ball drifts out for a goal kick to the visitors.
Germany are being allowed to keep the ball at this late stage. Argentina's defenders have dropped slightly deeper, but Gago and Mascherano are still pressing in the middle of the pitch.
Argentina win a free kick further up the pitch to relieve some of the pressure on their shoulders. The win will be confirmed very soon. What a start for Gerardo Martino in his new role.
Poor from Muller as he fails to find Ginter inside the box, despite being in plenty of space. That looks like it could be the final mistake on a frustrating night for the world champions.
FULL TIME: GERMANY 2-4 ARGENTINA
It may not be the World Cup final, but Argentina have managed to start the recovery from that disappointing evening by beating Germany 4-2 this evening. Martino's side allowed the hosts to come back after storming into a 4-0 lead. Di Maria was the star man with three assists and a fantastic goal. Low will be very concerned with the displays of some of the newer faces in his side.
Germany lose for the first time in 15 months, while Argentina deal with the absence of Lionel Messi by outing four goals past the world champions. You can't ask for much more from an international friendly. I hope you've enjoyed our coverage this evening. Goodnight.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
