Germany wrapped up their World Cup preparations in Mönchengladbach on Friday with a morale-boosting 3-0 victory over Colombia in a pre-tournament friendly. With Jürgen Klinsmann's team due to kick-off their World Cup challenge against Costa Rica in Munich next Friday, the hosts were looking for a comfortable win after a 2-2 draw against Japan earlier in the week.
Michael Ballack, who will play for English champions Chelsea after the finals, broke the deadlock with a trademark header in the 20th minute to net his 31st goal in 65 appearances.
Bayern München midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who delivered
the cross for Ballack's header, then made it 2-0 after 37 minutes. Schweinsteiger produced a fierce free-kick from 30 yards that thundered past goalkeeper Oscar Cordoba into the back of the net. It was a second goal in four days for Schweinsteiger who scored the equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Japan on Tuesday.
Finally Colombia had a noteworthy attack on the hour mark but Elkin Soto headed over the crossbar. But in the 69th minute substitute Tim Borowski, only on the pitch seven minutes, was afforded too much space in the penalty area and finished with aplomb.
Germany held firm for a clean sheet and aside from the
result the return of first choice left back Philipp Lahm, out for
several weeks following an elbow operation, was a real plus for the hosts.
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[bild1]Germany wrapped up their World Cup preparations in Mönchengladbach on Friday with a morale-boosting 3-0 victory over Colombia in a pre-tournament friendly. With Jürgen Klinsmann's team due to kick-off their World Cup challenge against Costa Rica in Munich next Friday, the hosts were looking for a comfortable win after a 2-2 draw against Japan earlier in the week.
Michael Ballack, who will play for English champions Chelsea after the finals, broke the deadlock with a trademark header in the 20th minute to net his 31st goal in 65 appearances.
Bayern München midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who delivered
the cross for Ballack's header, then made it 2-0 after 37 minutes. Schweinsteiger produced a fierce free-kick from 30 yards that thundered past goalkeeper Oscar Cordoba into the back of the net. It was a second goal in four days for Schweinsteiger who scored the equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Japan on Tuesday.
Finally Colombia had a noteworthy attack on the hour mark but Elkin Soto headed over the crossbar. But in the 69th minute substitute Tim Borowski, only on the pitch seven minutes, was afforded too much space in the penalty area and finished with aplomb.
Germany held firm for a clean sheet and aside from the
result the return of first choice left back Philipp Lahm, out for
several weeks following an elbow operation, was a real plus for the hosts.
