Per Mertesacker's fourth senior international goal has given Germany a 1-0 half-time lead over England in tonight's friendly at Wembley.

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The Arsenal defender headed home from a Mario Gotze cross after 38 minutes to give the visitors the lead in London.

Mertesacker had almost opened the scoring from a corner seconds earlier, but Joe Hart made a one-handed save.

England will feel slightly aggrieved to be behind, having dominated possession during the opening period.

However, Roy Hodgson's men have failed to break down a typically-disciplined German defence, with off-target headers from Wayne Rooney and Phil Jagielka as close as the hosts have come to finding the net.

Captain Steven Gerrard, who is winning his 108th cap this evening, has also tried his luck with two shots from long range.