News

Paraguay hold Germany in six-goal thriller

Germany had to fight back from two goals down to share a 3-3 draw with Paraguay in Wednesday's warm-up friendly in Kaiserslautern ahead of the return of World Cup qualifying.

Goals by Paraguay striker Jose Ariel Nunez and midfielder Wilson Pittoni were cancelled out when Ilkay Gundogan and Thomas Mueller pulled Germany back to 2-2 in a busy opening half-hour.

But the visitors took a lead into the break after winger Miguel Samudio scored their third and only an equaliser 15 minutes from time by Bayer Leverkusen's Lars Bender saved Germany's blushes.

Paraguay started by giving their German hosts a masterclass in finishing with their first two shots both producing goals. A superb long ball from defender Salustiano Candia beat the hosts' defence and Nunez darted onto the ball to drive his shot past Germany's Manuel Neuer on nine minutes.

Four minutes later Sami Khedira mistimed his clearance, which fell to the grateful Pittoni, who celebrated his 28th birthday with Paraguay's second goal. The hosts hit back as first Borussia Dortmund's Gundogan curled his shot around Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar on 18 minutes, then Bayern Munich's Thomas Mueller trapped a ball over the Paraguay defence and slotted home with 31 minutes gone.

However, Paraguay, quarter-finalists at the 2010 World Cup but currently bottom of South American qualifying for the 2014 finals, got back in front in added time at the end of the first half when left winger Samudio drilled home.

The Germans only got themselves back on level terms when defensive midfielder Lars Bender chested the ball down on the edge of the penalty area and rifled his shot into the far corner 15 minutes from time.

created by afp/js

[bild1]

Germany had to fight back from two goals down to share a 3-3 draw with Paraguay in Wednesday's warm-up friendly in Kaiserslautern ahead of the return of World Cup qualifying.

Goals by Paraguay striker Jose Ariel Nunez and midfielder Wilson Pittoni were cancelled out when Ilkay Gundogan and Thomas Mueller pulled Germany back to 2-2 in a busy opening half-hour.

But the visitors took a lead into the break after winger Miguel Samudio scored their third and only an equaliser 15 minutes from time by Bayer Leverkusen's Lars Bender saved Germany's blushes.

Paraguay started by giving their German hosts a masterclass in finishing with their first two shots both producing goals. A superb long ball from defender Salustiano Candia beat the hosts' defence and Nunez darted onto the ball to drive his shot past Germany's Manuel Neuer on nine minutes.

[bild2]

Four minutes later Sami Khedira mistimed his clearance, which fell to the grateful Pittoni, who celebrated his 28th birthday with Paraguay's second goal. The hosts hit back as first Borussia Dortmund's Gundogan curled his shot around Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar on 18 minutes, then Bayern Munich's Thomas Mueller trapped a ball over the Paraguay defence and slotted home with 31 minutes gone.

However, Paraguay, quarter-finalists at the 2010 World Cup but currently bottom of South American qualifying for the 2014 finals, got back in front in added time at the end of the first half when left winger Samudio drilled home.

The Germans only got themselves back on level terms when defensive midfielder Lars Bender chested the ball down on the edge of the penalty area and rifled his shot into the far corner 15 minutes from time.