Published 14:29 IST, October 10th 2019
Makeshift Germany held in a draw by Messi-less Argentina team
Makeshift Germany was in the lead in the first half but was held in a draw with the Messi-less Argentina in the second half. Lucas Alario proved a game-changer.
The friendly match between Germany and Argentina on October 7, ended in a draw with both teams scoring 2 goals each. The goals were struck in the first half by the players of Germany. However, the second half proved to be a game-changer for Argentina. Germany played the match with its new players against Messi-less Argentina.
Serge Gnabry and Kai Havertz struck goals against Argentina in the first half. However, Lucas Alario proved to be a game-changer when he led the Argentina team in the second half. Lucas Ocampos was scored the late equalizer against the German team. The shift came after the Leverkusen striker pulled a goal back. Defender Robin Koch and the striker Luca Waldschmidt were asked to defend at the last minute on Monday.
Makeshift Germany against Messi-less Argentina
Later, Germany brought in forward Nadiem Amiri and Schalke, midfielder Suat Serdar to make their second-half debuts. The players of Germany were new on the field, at the same time forced to play against the new arrangement of the defenders without getting enough time to figure out their gameplay. Koch, at the last minute, replaced center-back Niklas Stark, who because of stomach ache was pulled out of the game before the kick-off. The new German team suffered 13 withdrawals due to injuries or illness. Yet, their performance during the game managed to impress the Argentina team in the first half of the game. However, the Argentina team went on the field without its star-players; Messi, Sergio Aguero, and Angel di Maria.
Lionel Messi was suspended for making comments at the Copa America. The match recalled the memories of the 2014 World Cup final, where Argentina's Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo was the only accountable player when Germans took the trophy in Rio de Janeiro.
Argentina’s come back in the second half
Marcos Rojo along with Manchester City veteran Nicolas Otamendi took the defense of the Argentina team which happen to be weak in the first half. At 22-minutes, Waldschmidt took the ball from Rojo, then Gnabry using his pace took the lead to present Havertz with a simple tap-in. It was evident that Argentina was feeling frustrated as two of its players Otamendi and Rodrigo de Paul were defending from Julian Brandt and Gnabry respectively. Argentina made a come-back during the second-half when Argentina coach decided to replace Dybala and put Alario on 62 minutes. The Leverkusen striker made a power pact strike and pulled into the air to head past Barcelona goalkeeper just after four minutes. The score was later equalized, both the teams fetching a score of two when Alario set up Sevilla's Lucas Ocampos, who took the opportunity to goal past ter Stegen just five minutes before the end time.
(with inputs from agencies)
Updated 18:13 IST, October 10th 2019