LARS STINDL'S stunning stoppage-time leveller saved the world champions after two-goal Alexandre Lacazette led France's thrilling three-man attack. Arsenal striker Lacazette twice put the visitors in front but Timo Werner and Stindl earned Germany a draw in this lively friendly.
France were superior before the break in both chances and passing, especially through the pace of Manchester United striker Anthony Martial and Paris Saint-Germain flier Kylian Mbappe.
But it was Lacazette who bagged their superb 33rd minute breakthrough. Lucas Digne found Martial, who evaded Mats Hummels with his first touch and unselfishly fed Lacazette with his second. giving the ex-Lyon star a simple finish from two yards. Germany, though, improved noticeably after the interval. And on 56 minutes Gunners midfielder Mesut Ozil took the ball out of defence before eventually sliding a perfect pass for RB Leipzig striker Werner to slot it through keeper Steve Mandanda's legs. The hosts briefly looked in control, Toni Kroos hitting the bar on 70 minutes. But within 60 seconds Niklas Süle's dozy defending left a gap for Lacazette to surge into. And when Mbappe found the busy frontrunner with a sublime pass he slotted it home clinically. Blaise Matuidi was a marauding menace all night for the French. And Martial should have sealed victory, surging into the box but seeing keeper Kevin Trapp thwart his shot with a fine save. Germany seemed to have run out of ideas and momentum.
But three minutes into injury time Mario Gotze conjured a delightful flicked pass for Borussia Monchengladbach hitman Stindl to steer in an excellent finish.
Germany (4-2-3-1): Trapp, Can (Stindl 83), Hummels (Rudiger 46), Sule, Plattenhardt, Khedira (Rudy 75), Kroos, Gundogan (Gotze 65), Ozil, Draxler, Werner (Wagner 85). Booked: Wagner. Subs not used: Leno, Ginter, Kimmich, Brandt, Sane, Halstenberg, ter Stegen.
France (4-3-3): Mandanda, Jallet (Pavard 64), Varane, Umtiti, Digne (Kurzawa 82), Tolisso, Rabiot, Matuidi (Nzonzi 64), Mbappe, Lacazette (Griezmann 76), Martial. Subs not used: Areola, Sissoko, Fekir, Coman, Thauvin, Koscielny, Kimpembe, Costil.
From The Sun
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