Di Maria dazzles as Argentina crush Germany in WC final rematch
6 Sept 2014 5:00 AM IST
A brilliant performance from Angel Di Maria spurred Argentina to a crushing 4-2 international friendly win over world champions Germany on Wednesday in an entertaining rematch of July’s World Cup final.
Despite the absence of injured captain Lionel Messi, Argentina ran circles around the World Cup winners on their home turf in the first match for both teams since Germany’s 1-0 extra-time victory in the final in Brazil. The inexperienced Germany defence could not contain new Manchester United signing Di Maria.
He set up the first goal in the 21st minute with a pinpoint lob to the penalty spot where Sergio Aguero slipped away from his marker and beat Manuel Neuer with an unstoppable volley from point-blank range. Nineteen minutes later Di Maria broke free on the right near the touch line when he lofted a soft cross back to Erik Lamela, who smashed a volley past a frustrated-looking Neuer. Federico Fernandez made it 3-0 two minutes after the intermission before di Maria scored a superb lob to make it 4-0 in the 50th minute.
Andre Schuerrle got one back for Germany in the 52nd minute while Mario Goetze made it 4-2 in the 78th minute.
Despite the absence of injured captain Lionel Messi, Argentina ran circles around the World Cup winners on their home turf in the first match for both teams since Germany’s 1-0 extra-time victory in the final in Brazil. The inexperienced Germany defence could not contain new Manchester United signing Di Maria.
He set up the first goal in the 21st minute with a pinpoint lob to the penalty spot where Sergio Aguero slipped away from his marker and beat Manuel Neuer with an unstoppable volley from point-blank range. Nineteen minutes later Di Maria broke free on the right near the touch line when he lofted a soft cross back to Erik Lamela, who smashed a volley past a frustrated-looking Neuer. Federico Fernandez made it 3-0 two minutes after the intermission before di Maria scored a superb lob to make it 4-0 in the 50th minute.
Andre Schuerrle got one back for Germany in the 52nd minute while Mario Goetze made it 4-2 in the 78th minute.
Next Story
