World champions Germany stunned by Austria
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ByEurosport
Updated 02/06/2018 at 20:47 GMT
International friendly, Wörthersee Stadion - Austria 2 (Hinteregger 53', Schopf 69') Germany 1 (Ozil 11')
Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer reacts after conceding the second Austrian goal during the international friendly footbal match Austria v Germany in Klagenfurt, Austria, on June 2, 2018.
Image credit: Eurosport
World champions Germany surrendered a one-goal lead as they conceded twice in the second half to lose to neighbours Austria in an international friendly.
Heavy rain forced a delay to kick-off for almost two hours, but it took Mesut Ozil only 11 minutes to break the deadlock when he capitalised on a mistake by Austria goalkeeper Jorg Siebenhandl.
Manuel Neuer - making his first appearance since September after suffering a broken foot - made a number of decent saves and now looks likely to be Germany’s first choice goalkeeper when Joachim Low’s side face Mexico on Sunday, June 17 in their World Cup opener.
There was little he could have done about Austria’s equaliser though which came on 53-minutes following a sustained spell of pressure. Neuer could only look on in amazement as Martin Hinteregger rifled in a spectacular first-time volley at the back post.
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Alessandro Schopf, Manuel Neuer, Germany, Austria
Image credit: Imago
And the game was turned on its head when Alessandro Schopf drilled home Stefan Lainer’s clever cut-back in the 69th-minute. Austria held on comfortably to record their first victory over Germany since 1986 as Franco Foda claimed his fifth straight victory as manager.
Germany - who have not won in their previous four matches - weren’t at their best once again, but their lacklustre performance is unlikely to worry Low who has the likes of Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Mat Hummels to return to the fold before the Russia showpiece begins.
TALKING POINT: Manuel Neuer’s return a positive for defeated Germany
Joachim Low had been sweating over the fitness of his first-choice goalkeeper and captain who missed most of the season after breaking his foot back in September, but the 32-year-old has returned to action at just the right time.
And now the Bayern Munich goalkeeper looks fit and raring to go. He looked as cool as a cucumber with the ball at his feet - and dealt with everything thrown at him quite comfortably, though there was little he could have done about Austria's goals.
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Austria's defender Sebastian Proedl (R) and Germany's forward Nils Petersen vie for the ball during the international friendly footbal match Austria v Germany in Klagenfurt, Austria, on June 2, 2018.
Image credit: Eurosport
His presence is a major boost as Germany target a second consecutive World Cup triumph.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Alessandro Schopf (Austria): Like all good forwards, the FC Schalke player refused to allow his head to drop after spurning a couple of decent opportunities early on, and went on to grab the winner with an incisive finish.
PLAYER RATINGS
- Austria: Siebenhandl 7, Prodl 6, Dragovic 6, Hinteregger 8, Schopf 9, Baumgartlinger 7, Alaba 8, Grillitsch 7, Lainer 8, Zulj 7, Arnautovic 7.subs: Kainz N/A, Burgstaller N/A, Ilsanker 5
- Germany: Neuer 7, Kimmich 4, Rudiger 6, Sule 7, Hector 6, Gundogan 5, Khedira 5, Brandt 6, Ozil 5, Sane 6, Petersen 5.subs: Rudy 6, Draxler 5, Goretzka 5, Gomez 6, Reus 5, Werner 6
KEY MOMENTS
- 11’ - GOAL! Austria 0-1 Germany: Austria put themselves in real trouble as they try to play out from the back. The goalkeeper Sibenhandl's kick is straight at Ozil who punishes the home side's carelessness as he curls the ball into the top corner.
- 20’ – GERMANY CHANCE! Brandt is released one-on-one with the Austrian goalkeeper and is favourite to double Germany's advantage... but his shot is turned wide by the slightest of touches from Siebenhandl. Top save!
- 53’ – GOAL: Austria 1-1 Germany: Hinteregger levels the scores with an absolute peach! He is unmarked at the back post to rifle Alaba's cross first-time into the corner of the net. Probably the best goal the Austrian will ever score!
- 55’ - TOP CLASS SAVE! Alaba's genius pass releases Arnautovic but Neuer is off his line quickly, makes himself big and produces another wonderful save from point-blank range!
- 69’ – GOAL: Austria 2-1 Germany: The hosts turn this game on its ahead - they now lead against the world champions! Lainer does brilliantly to keep a switched-ball in play, he cuts it back to Schopf who drills the ball into the bottom corner.
KEY STATS
- Austria have won all of their last seven international games, equalling their longest winning streak in history (December 1933 to May 1934).
- Austria have beaten Germany for the first time in almost 32 years and after 10 games without a win (D1 9L), when they won 4-1 back in October 1986.
- Nils Petersen won his first cap for Germany at the age of 29.
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