Germany 2-2 Argentina
This international friendly between Germany and Argentina was devoid of the superstars which contested the 2014 World Cup final. And for Germany, it got even worse as a number of their other key players had to pull out for varying reasons.
But despite the absence of many big-name stars, SBOBET football fans were still treated to quite an entertaining affair in this World Cup rematch.
However, the home side likely won’t be too pleased with the result as they squandered a 2-0 first-half lead to Argentina, who stormed back to earn a 2-2 stalemate.
Highlights of the game
The big international friendly 2019 news leading up to the match was the number of notable absentees for Germany. The likes of Timo Werner, Toni Kroos, Ilkay Gundogan, Jonathan Tah, and Matthias Ginter were all ruled out, while Marco Reus was only fit enough to make the bench.
That left Joachim Low no choice but to field a starting XI that would be unrecognisable to the casual fan. Two players — Luca Walderschmidt and Robin Koch — were handed starts on their full international debuts.
As for Argentina, they still had the talented duo of Lautaro Martinez and Paulo Dybala — who both scored in the recently concluded Derby d’Italia — leading their attack.
The first real chance of the match would fall to the hosts on 13 minutes. Julian Brandt got free on the break and fired a shot at the edge of the box, but Argentina keeper Agustin Marchesin was more than equal to it.
However, Marchesin was unable to stop Germany from going on top just a couple of minutes later. The in-form Serge Gnabry got to the ball inside the six-yard box ahead of several Argentina defenders surrounding him and stabbed the ball home.
The Germans would then double their lead on 22 minutes. This time, Gnabry turned provider as he squared the ball to the onrushing Kai Havertz, who scored his first senior international goal.
Germany very nearly added a third goal on the half-hour mark through Marcel Halstenberg. The RB Leipzig man unleashed a brilliant left-footed strike from a free-kick, which had Marchesin scrambling. But unfortunately for the German defender, his shot hit the crossbar.
Argentina would have their turn to hit the frame of the goal just a couple minutes later as Rodrigo de Paul’s brilliant long-range effort came back off the post.
Gnabry had a chance to grab a second on the stroke of half-time. He did brilliantly to control a long free-kick, but his shot was well off target.
Germany had another great opportunity to put the game beyond the visitors’ reach. A quick counterattack saw Emre Can with a chance on goal, but Marchesin made a crucial stop on the Juventus midfielder.
The Germans would be left to rue those missed opportunities as Argentina staged their comeback, which began in the 66th minute. Substitute Lucas Alario — who plays for German side Bayer Leverkusen — was left unmarked near the penalty spot and supplied a sublime header to beat ter Stegen.
Buoyed by that goal, Argentina began to put the pressure on the hosts. Leandro Paredes tried his luck from distance, but ter Stegen made the save.
Argentina’s pressure eventually paid off in the 85th minute as another substitute fired home the equaliser. Lucas Ocampos’ strike deflected off Can, which put the ball beyond ter Stegen’s reach.
It was a little unlucky for the Germans, but they only have themselves to blame after they failed to finish the Argentines off.
Key statistics
With Argentina behind for most of the game, it was unsurprising that they edged the possession stats, garnering 55 per cent of the ball.
But the Germans still had more total shots (13-11) and shots on target (6-3) and were just failed to capitalise.
Argentina’s star duo of Lautaro Martinez and Paulo Dybala disappointed. The two combined for just one shot in total. Dybala was subbed off after an hour for Alario, who was much more lively. The Leverkusen man led the way with three shots, including the brilliant header which kickstarted the Argentina revival.
What’s next?
Germany will look to bounce back from this disappointing draw when they face Estonia in a Euro 2020 qualifier.
The Germans should have few problems in that match; they hammered the Estonians 8-0 in June, with Gnabry and Reus each bagging a brace. Needless to say, international friendly 2019 predictions will call for another Germany win.
As for Argentina, they will conclude this latest round of international friendlies when they take on Ecuador.
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