Second-string England hold Germany to draw at Wembley

An inexperienced England side held world champions Germany to a goalless draw in an entertaining international friendly at Wembley.

The visitors, who were also under-strength, had the better of the openings with Manchester City's Leroy Sane hitting the crossbar, while Timo Werner was twice denied by Jordan Pickford who enjoyed an impressive full bow.

England also had their moments as Kieran Trippier and Tammy Abraham went close in the first half. The hosts occasionally threatened on the counter attack in a tight second period, with substitute Jesse Lingard blazing over from close range at the death.

Manager Gareth Southgate had seen seven players withdraw from his initial squad for this encounter, so he'll be delighted with the impact made by a host of fringe stars looking to force their way into his plans for next summer's World Cup in Russia.

No fewer than five players made their debuts on a night full of positives that will send England into Tuesday's meeting with Brazil at Wembley in good spirits.

The new boys impress. The most inexperienced England side in 37 years saw Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Pickford and Tammy Abraham all make their bows from the start. They all came out of it having enhanced their reputations. Pickford pulled off a series of top-class saves to suggest he is the most likely to realistically force his way into Southgate's first-choice plans for Russia - and on this evidence could well put serious pressure on Joe Hart for the No.1 jersey.

Abraham was dangerous during an hour in attack without truly laying down a marker, while Loftus-Cheek was a classy performer in midfield and produced a series of moments showing how good he can be on the ball. Liverpool's Joe Gomez was solid when he was introduced early for the injured Phil Jones, but Jack Cork had little time to make an impact.

Jordan Pickford (England). Put a tough start to the season with Everton to the back of his mind, to shine on his debut with a confident all-round display. Produced a couple of top-class saves to deny Werner and looks like someone who could well go on to be an England number one for many years to come.

ENGLAND: Pickford 8, Trippier 8, Jones 6, Stones 7, Maguire 8, Rose 7, Livermore 6, Dier 6, Vardy 7, Loftus-Cheek 8, Abraham 6. Subs: Gomez 6, Rashford 6, Bertrand 6, Walker 6, Cork n/a, Lingard n/a.

GERMANY: Ter Stegen 7, Ginter 7, Hummels 8, Rüdiger 7, Kimmich 6, Gündogan 7, Özil 7, Halstenberg 6, Draxler 6, Werner 6, Sané 8. Subs: Can 6, Wagner 5, Brandt n/a, Rudy n/a.

2' - ENGLAND CHANCE. Vardy skips free on the left and rolls a lovely ball across the six-yard box. It misses Abraham but Trippier arrives at the far post to rifle into the side netting from a tight angle.

20' - GERMANY HIT THE BAR! Sane takes advantage of the space afforded to him and sees his lovely effort crash back off the woodwork.

23' - GERMANY CHANCE. Germany should be ahead. Ozil sends Werner clear, but his low shot is superbly saved Pickford. Sane's follow-up is then magnificently headed off the line by Jones before Draxler wastes a third bite of the cherry by lashing over the top.

39' - GERMANY CHANCE. Pickford pulls off another superb stop to keep out Werner's low effort after the German had raced free once more.

42' - ENGLAND CHANCE. Abraham turns Rudiger but sees his shot from just inside the box loop off the Chelsea defender and fly inches wide of Ter Stegen's right-hand post.

49' - ENGLAND CHANCE. Vardy meets Trippier's pinpoint cross from the right but sees his downward header brilliantly saved by Ter Stegen.

90+3' - ENGLAND CHANCE. Maguire nods the left-wing free kick back into the middle and Lingard lashes over from eight yards out. It's the last kick of the game. So close for England.

Five players made their England debut in this game (Pickford, Gomez, Loftus-Cheek, Abraham and Cork); the most in a single fixture since November 2012 (6 v Sweden).