Friendlies: Argentina Stun World Champions

Argentina put on a fine performance, as they defeated World Champions, Germany, 4-2 in an international friendly at the Esprit Arena on Wednesday night.

Joechim Low was without the services of Bastien Schweinsteiger and Mesut Ozil, while Lionel Messi was not included in Gerardo Martino’s match day squad.

The hosts were presented with the first opportunity of the game in the seventh minute, as Kramer played in Mario Gomez, but the striker’s effort was palmed away by Romero.

However, it was the visitors who took the lead in the 20th minute through Sergio Aguero’s close range finish, after he was delightfully picked out by Angel Di Maria.

Germany came close to leveling matters a minute later, as Andre Schurrle pounced Martin Dimichellis’ error to tee up Toni Kroos, but the midfielder dragged his effort just wide of the upright.

Romero came to Argentina’s rescue in the 27th minute, as he pulled off a fine save to deny Mario Gomez from point-blank range.

The visitors doubled their lead in the 40th minute, as Di Maria picked out an un-marked Erik Lamela, who showed great composure to side-foot the ball into the top corner.

Argentina made it 3-0 minutes after the halftime break, as Frederico Fernandez headed home Di Maria’s set-piece, the Manchester United winger’s third assist of the game.

Two minutes after scoring the third, Di Maria managed to himself on the score-sheet, as he latched onto Pablo Zabaleta’s through ball before lobbing the on-rushing Roman Weidenfeller.

The World Champions pulled one back in the 51st minute through Schurrle’s close range finish after goal-mouth scramble. 

Marco Reus came close to reducing the deficit in the 76th minute, as the Borussia Dortmund midfielder played a neat one-two with Mario Gotze, before firing one against the upright.

Germany did pull another goal back two minutes later through Gotze’s deflected effort from the edge of the area and that was good as it got for the hosts, as Argentina held on for an impressive win.