Argentina spoiled the party for world champions Germany by hammering the hosts 4-2 in an international friendly in Duesseldorf on Wednesday in a repeat of the World Cup final. Manchester United's record British signing Angel Di Maria scored once and made goals for Sergio Aguero, Erik Lamela and Federico Fernandez as Argentina won their first game since losing to Germany in Brazil.
Andre Schürrle and Mario Götze replied but Germany were brought crashing down to earth by a ruthless Argentina display in what was Gerardo Martino's first match in charge of the South Americans. Götze's extra-time winner at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana on July 13 sealed Germany's fourth World Cup triumph and there was a jubilant, capacity crowd of 51,132 packed into the Esprit Arena on Wednesday evening.
Before kick-off the home fans got a chance to say a final farewell to Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker, record goal scorer Miroslav Klose and World Cup-winning captain Philipp Lahm. All three retired from international football after Germany's success in Brazil.
Only four players who started the World Cup final were in the German line-up, with Manuel Neuer captaining the side in the absence of his injured Bayern Munich teammate Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Argentina spoiled the party for world champions Germany by hammering the hosts 4-2 in an international friendly in Duesseldorf on Wednesday in a repeat of the World Cup final. Manchester United's record British signing Angel Di Maria scored once and made goals for Sergio Aguero, Erik Lamela and Federico Fernandez as Argentina won their first game since losing to Germany in Brazil.
Andre Schürrle and Mario Götze replied but Germany were brought crashing down to earth by a ruthless Argentina display in what was Gerardo Martino's first match in charge of the South Americans. Götze's extra-time winner at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana on July 13 sealed Germany's fourth World Cup triumph and there was a jubilant, capacity crowd of 51,132 packed into the Esprit Arena on Wednesday evening.
Before kick-off the home fans got a chance to say a final farewell to Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker, record goal scorer Miroslav Klose and World Cup-winning captain Philipp Lahm. All three retired from international football after Germany's success in Brazil.
Only four players who started the World Cup final were in the German line-up, with Manuel Neuer captaining the side in the absence of his injured Bayern Munich teammate Bastian Schweinsteiger.
