Germany tied 2-2 against Argentina on Wednesday. AC Milan striker Hernan Crespo showed his killer instinct in front of goal converting a penalty and producing a magestic late
chip to deny Germany.
Torsten Frings put the 2002 World Cup finalists in front after 28 minutes, before Crespo levelled, and Brazilian-born Kevin Kuranyi restored Germany's lead until Crespo's late intervention.
Despite the absence of inspirational captain Michael Ballack -
sidelined by a bout of flu - Germany controlled possession and
carved two good openings in the first quarter hour with Frings and Bernd Schneider going close.
Argentina looked jet-lagged but almost took the lead against the
run of play with Monaco's Javier Saviola springing the German
offside trap in the 20th minute only to see his low shot saved by Jens Lehmann.
The Arsenal custodian was a suprise starter with Bayern Munich
rival Oliver Kahn watching from the substitutes' bench. After 28 minutes Germany got the breakthrough although Italian referee Stefano Farina played a helping hand awarding a suspect penalty kick.
A corner from the right was whipped into the danger area and VfB
Stuttgart Kevin Kuranyi collapsed in a heap following a challenge from his marker. Farina pointed to the spot - to the fury of the Argentina players - and Frings dispatched with aplomb.
Penalties have a habit of coming in twos and with 40 minutes on
the clock Juan Pablo Sorin was chopped down by a cluster of German defenders and Crespo drilled home the resulting spot-kick.
But with seconds remaining Germany regained the lead with
Kuranyi placing a shot under goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri as
the visitors switched off.
Immediately after the break Olympic champions Argentina almost
equalised with Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze spurning a great chance, heading over the crossbar when left unmarked in the centre of goal.
On the hour mark Crespo appeared to be felled by Lehmann in the
box but the referee chose not to award a third spot-kick claiming there had been no contact.
The trickery of Saviola and Villareal playmaker Juan Roman
Riquelme was a delight for the capacity 52,000 fans but not German defenders perplexed by their nimble footwork.
Argentina's attacking quality is undoubtedly their strength and
in the 81st minute a brilliant move carved the German backline
apart.
[db]
[bild1]Germany tied 2-2 against Argentina on Wednesday. AC Milan striker Hernan Crespo showed his killer instinct in front of goal converting a penalty and producing a magestic late
chip to deny Germany.
Torsten Frings put the 2002 World Cup finalists in front after 28 minutes, before Crespo levelled, and Brazilian-born Kevin Kuranyi restored Germany's lead until Crespo's late intervention.
Despite the absence of inspirational captain Michael Ballack -
sidelined by a bout of flu - Germany controlled possession and
carved two good openings in the first quarter hour with Frings and Bernd Schneider going close.
Argentina looked jet-lagged but almost took the lead against the
run of play with Monaco's Javier Saviola springing the German
offside trap in the 20th minute only to see his low shot saved by Jens Lehmann.
The Arsenal custodian was a suprise starter with Bayern Munich
rival Oliver Kahn watching from the substitutes' bench. After 28 minutes Germany got the breakthrough although Italian referee Stefano Farina played a helping hand awarding a suspect penalty kick.
A corner from the right was whipped into the danger area and VfB
Stuttgart Kevin Kuranyi collapsed in a heap following a challenge from his marker. Farina pointed to the spot - to the fury of the Argentina players - and Frings dispatched with aplomb.
Penalties have a habit of coming in twos and with 40 minutes on
the clock Juan Pablo Sorin was chopped down by a cluster of German defenders and Crespo drilled home the resulting spot-kick.
But with seconds remaining Germany regained the lead with
Kuranyi placing a shot under goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri as
the visitors switched off.
Immediately after the break Olympic champions Argentina almost
equalised with Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze spurning a great chance, heading over the crossbar when left unmarked in the centre of goal.
On the hour mark Crespo appeared to be felled by Lehmann in the
box but the referee chose not to award a third spot-kick claiming there had been no contact.
The trickery of Saviola and Villareal playmaker Juan Roman
Riquelme was a delight for the capacity 52,000 fans but not German defenders perplexed by their nimble footwork.
Argentina's attacking quality is undoubtedly their strength and
in the 81st minute a brilliant move carved the German backline
apart.
