Austria 2 Germany 1: Defending World Cup champions in crisis after first defeat to Austria in 32 years
Mesut Ozil's early strike was cancelled out by two second half goals at the Worthersee Stadion
GERMANY are in crisis ahead of the World Cup after their first defeat by Austria in 32 years.
The defending champions are without a victory in five matches – which is their longest winless streak since 1987-88.
Martin Hinteregger and Alessandro Schopf found the net to cancel out Mesut Ozil’s early opener.
Arsenal ace Ozil netted Germany’s first chance of the game to give Joachim Low’s side an early boost.
An error from Jorg Siebenhandl gifted the ball into the path of the the midfielder, who chipped the ball into the net from the far post.
Florian Grillitsch came close to finding the equaliser, but Manuel Neuer managed to parry the strike away at the near post.
But Austria’s persistence paid off and Hinteregger levelled the scoring in the 53rd minute.
The Fc Augsburg defender showed incredible technique to score a volley from the far post.
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Schopf then found the net in the 69th minute with a close range strike to put Austria in the driving seat.
Possession was pulled back for Schopf after a through ball from Baumgartlinger and the midfielder planted his strike beyond the reach of Neuer.
Prior to tonight’s defeat, Germany had won their last nine matches against Austria – dating back to a goalless draw in November 1992.
Low’s side will now face Saudi Arabia on Friday before they jet off to Russia to defend their title.
