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luk of the germans

Germany 1 England 0: Lukas Podolski’s stunning goal sends Gareth Southgate’s side to unlucky defeat

Podolski screamer decides the game after impressive display by Three Lions who were made to pay for not taking their chances

LUKAS PODOLSKI scored a brilliant goal on his farewell appearance for Germany to consign England to defeat in Dortmund.

The former Arsenal star lashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner of Joe Hart's net as Gareth Southgate's side were punished for failing to make the most of their early dominance.

Lukas Podolski strikers his thunderous shot into the top corner
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Lukas Podolski strikers his thunderous shot into the top cornerCredit: EPA
Lukas Podolski scored a stunning goal to send England to defeat
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Lukas Podolski scored a stunning goal to send England to defeatCredit: Reuters
England produced an impressive first half display but failed to make their dominance count
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England produced an impressive first half display but failed to make their dominance countCredit: Reuters

Southgate's new-look England controlled the game for the first hour with an impressive display inspired by Adam Lallana and Dele Alli.

But Lallana saw one shot cannon back off the post while Alli wasted a golden chance just before the break to fire the Three Lions into the lead.

Germany improved in the second half as Southgate made a raft of substitutions as England fell to a defeat their display had hardly deserved.

FACTS, STATS, GOALS AND LOLS

  • Germany were using this match as a farewell tribute to Lukas Podolski, but kick-off was delayed for five minutes just so the former Arsenal star could make a speech - much to the clear boredom of the England players lined up behind him.
  • England were denied a sixth minute penalty when Marc-Andre ter Stegen looked to upend Jamie Vardy - though replays suggest the Leicester striker may have had a touch of the Tom Daleys.
Lukas Podolski gave a speech before the game that went on so long it delayed kick-off
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Lukas Podolski gave a speech before the game that went on so long it delayed kick-offCredit: Reuters
Jamie Vardy tumbled too theatrically as he went down under the challenge of Marc-Andre ter Stegen
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Jamie Vardy tumbled too theatrically as he went down under the challenge of Marc-Andre ter StegenCredit: Rex Features
  • Michael Keane almost made the perfect start to his England debut when he fired just over the bar as Gareth Southgate's side started the better of the two teams.
  • Joe Hart saw plenty of early action passing out from the back, sometimes under pressure, and always found his man. Pep Guardiola could do worse than take note.
  • It took some getting used to watching England in the opening half - not because of the new navy kit but because they were passing to each other and finding their man so much,
  • You would have done well to have seen Raheem Sterling sat on the England bench - the Manchester City star was so wrapped up you could only just see his eyes peering out of his oversized coat.
Raheem Sterling took no chances wrapping up to keep warm on the bench
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Raheem Sterling took no chances wrapping up to keep warm on the benchCredit: Getty Images
Adam Lallana was unluckyt to see his shot beat Ter Stegen but rebound back off the post
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Adam Lallana was unluckyt to see his shot beat Ter Stegen but rebound back off the postCredit: AP:Associated Press
  • Adam Lallana was at the heart of all England's good work and only the post denied him the when he raced through on 37 minutes.
  • Dele Alli blew a golden chance to give England the lead they deserved when he fired straight at Ter Stegen with just the keeper to beat.
Dele Alli looks on as Ter Stegen saves his shot just before the break
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Dele Alli looks on as Ter Stegen saves his shot just before the breakCredit: Reuters
Joe Hart is helpless as Lukas Podolski fires into the top corner for the winner
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Joe Hart is helpless as Lukas Podolski fires into the top corner for the winner
Even Joe Hart congratulated Lukas Podolski for his stunning goal
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Even Joe Hart congratulated Lukas Podolski for his stunning goalCredit: Rex Features
  • Germany finally made an attack of note a minute into the second half but Julian Brandt lashed his shot just wide of target.
  • At least someone told the Germany side they had to make some kind of effort in the second half, rather than play at testimonial pace like they did before the break.
  • Podolski is well past his best, but he rolled back the years with a stunning strike into the top corner to put Germany ahead. You couldn't make it up.
  • Leroy Sane almost doubled the lead with a low drive but Hart pulled off a fine stop to deny his should-be Manchester City teammate.

TEAMS

GERMANY: Ter Stegen, Hector, Hummels, Kroos, Podolski (Rudy 85), Weigl (Can 64), Rudiger, Kimmich, Sane, Brandt (Schurrle 59), Werner (Muller 79)

Subs: Trapp, Leno, Mustafi, Howedes, Sule,

ENGLAND: Hart, Walker, Bertrand (Shaw 83), Keane, Cahill, Smalling, Livermore (ward-Prowse 82), Dier, Vardy (Rashford 69), Alli (Lingard 70), Lallana (Redmond 64)

Subs: Clyne, Forster,Barkley, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Defoe, Heaton, Sterling

Referee: Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

STAT ATTACK

The first half heat map for Germany shows they failed to make any impression on the England defence
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The first half heat map for Germany shows they failed to make any impression on the England defence

 

SOCIAL SAYS

What they said

England captain Gary Cahill said: "It's disappointing to lose. If we had taken our chances we would have won that game."

 

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