Germany v/s France: Lars Stindl saves the day for current world champions
Germany’s Lars Stindl scored a last-gasp equaliser to rescue a 2-2 draw against France in a friendly on Tuesday as the world champions stretched their unbeaten run to 21 matches.
France twice led through Alexandre Lacazette, who netted either side of Timo Werner’s leveller, but Stindl struck in stoppage time to rescue the hosts.
Germany, whose last defeat came against France in the semi-final of Euro 2016, have now failed to beat them at home since 1987.
Both teams have qualified for next year’s World Cup in Russia and are considered among the title favourites.
Germany coach Joachim Loew was eager to test his squad and made six changes to the team that drew 0-0 against England at Wembley on Friday, including three in defence.
But the hosts struggled under early French pressure, with the speedy Kylian Mbappe and Blaise Matuidi a constant threat.
Lacazette, replacing injured forward Olivier Giroud, forced a good save from Germany keeper Kevin Trapp with a powerful shot but went one better in the 34th minute, tapping in from close range after superb work from Anthony Martial.
“In the second half we managed to play more freely,” Loew said. “We were able to find the spaces, use them better. I told them …read more
