By Alan Duffy
A weakened German side played host to Lionel Messi and co. at the Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt on Wednesday night, with Jogi Loew’s makeshift team going down 3-1 to the South American giants.
The Germans’ cause wasn’t helped when, on the half-hour mark, goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler was sent off after bringing down Jose Sosa in the box. While sub ‘keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen did save Messi’s subsequent spot-kick, the home side would struggle for the rest of the game.
Real Madrid man Sami Khedira put through his own net just before half-time while Messi and Angel Di Maria, with a stunning strike, would put La Albiceleste three up. Benedikt Howedes did get one back for the Germans late on, courtesy of a superb diving header.
FYI, the goals on the video appear as follows – Khedira OG (4mins 17 secs), Messi (5:36), Di Maria (6:31) and Howedes (7:20).