Lukas Podolski saved one final highlight for his 130th and last International match. The World Champion struck a wonderful shot and contender for Goal of the Month in the top corner to settle the game against England. The man himself could hardly believe it. With his powerful left foot he found the absolute top corner from 25 yards and wheeled away almost in shock with his hands over his eyes on celebration. It was the 49th international goal for the 2014 World Cup winner and 2008 European Championships runner-up.
With another clean sheet, Joachim Löw’s national side also set a new record. Never before in the 108 year history of Germany as a footballing nation has the DFB side gone so long without conceding.
Grindel: "Podolski world class off the pitch too"
Before the game DFB President Reinhard Grindel handed over a bouquet of flowers and a photo collage of the great man’s 13 year DFB career. Grindel described Podolski as “a player who did not just become World Champion on the pitch, but also off it as well.”
Podolski proceeded to take the microphone and thank the fans for 13 years of support in a goosebump-inducing moment. “Thank you for 13 years of having the eagle on the chest. Thank you to everyone. Thank you to my family and my parents. Thank you Dortmund. Thank Köln and thank you Germany!“
Mesut Özil was also recognised as National player of the Year for 2016.
Podolski builds attacking four with three youngsters
As Podolski celebrated his last DFB appearance in a Germany shirt, a youngster was just starting his full International Senior debut: Timo Werner started his first game after his first call up last week. The 21-year-old is the 87th debutant under Joachim Löwe. Werner started in up front in the centre, ahead of the offensive trip of fellow youngsters Julian Brandt and Leroy Sané, as well as regular Podolski.
Toni Kroos started in central midfield with Julian Weigl. Sami Khedira missed out with a left ankle injury and missed out on a precaution. Julian Draxler joined Özil on the sidelines with Mario Gomez.
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen replaced Manuel Neuer. Löw’s back four was Jonas Hector, Mats Hummels, Antonio Rüdiger and Joshua Kimmich. With Podolski, Kroos and Hummels there were three World Champions in the starting eleven. Kroos started his 75th international.
DFB-eleven with high counter pressing and high willingness to run
The German side were eager to get going in the sold out Signal Iduna Park and looked to stop England from breaking from the edge of their own box. Werner, Brandt and Podolski pressured the England side, forcing them into mis-placed passes. But England came on stronger and created the first chance of the game after seven minutes. Hector was outdone by a fine pass from Dele Alli and set Jamie Vardy through on goal, but the Leicester City striker could not beat ter Stegen to the ball.
The following corner saw defender Michael Keane get a shot away, but he could not keep his effort down. Sané and Brandt switched wings. The chasing game was not working as well as hoped and Hummels and Rüdiger began to hit diagonal passes from deep from their own half, so as to try and stifle England.
Podolski absent from the box, Lallana hits the post
The first attack from DFB saw Hector find Podolski, but Jake Livermore was in the right place at the right time to prevent the captain getting to the ball first. Two minutes later Podolski struck a fierce shot from outside the box, but saw his effort blocked by Michael Keane.
England became stronger in the first half and Adam Lallana found himself through one-on-one with ter Stegen, only to strike the post. Shortly before the break ter Stegen preserved the 0-0 scoreline with a wonderful save from Dele Alli, also when clean through.
Kimmich had lost the ball to Ryan Bertrand and set Alli up. Podolski was also involved in German’s last attack of the half, although his shot was high over the bar from 20 yards.
Germany get stronger
Germany came out the better side after the break. Brandt found himself in space following a corner but could only fire wide. The build-up play from the home side was also stronger, and Kroos almost set up Podolski but the forward was unable to connect with the pass.
At the other end, ter Stegen had to be alert to keep out a shot from Dier. Shortly after André Schürrle was introduced and looks strong on the pitch. The Dortmund player almost had an instant impact when shot wide of the England goal just after the hour.
Podolski scores and receives ovation
It was left to Podolski. Kroos played a ball to Schürrle, who moved the ball onto Podolski. Then Poldi did what he does best, and rifled a shot into the top corner with twenty minutes to go. Four minutes later Sané had the chance to double the lead, but was denied by a smart save by Hart.
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Lukas Podolski saved one final highlight for his 130th and last International match. The World Champion struck a wonderful shot and contender for Goal of the Month in the top corner to settle the game against England. The man himself could hardly believe it. With his powerful left foot he found the absolute top corner from 25 yards and wheeled away almost in shock with his hands over his eyes on celebration. It was the 49th international goal for the 2014 World Cup winner and 2008 European Championships runner-up.
With another clean sheet, Joachim Löw’s national side also set a new record. Never before in the 108 year history of Germany as a footballing nation has the DFB side gone so long without conceding.
Grindel: "Podolski world class off the pitch too"
Before the game DFB President Reinhard Grindel handed over a bouquet of flowers and a photo collage of the great man’s 13 year DFB career. Grindel described Podolski as “a player who did not just become World Champion on the pitch, but also off it as well.”
Podolski proceeded to take the microphone and thank the fans for 13 years of support in a goosebump-inducing moment. “Thank you for 13 years of having the eagle on the chest. Thank you to everyone. Thank you to my family and my parents. Thank you Dortmund. Thank Köln and thank you Germany!“
Mesut Özil was also recognised as National player of the Year for 2016.
Podolski builds attacking four with three youngsters
As Podolski celebrated his last DFB appearance in a Germany shirt, a youngster was just starting his full International Senior debut: Timo Werner started his first game after his first call up last week. The 21-year-old is the 87th debutant under Joachim Löwe. Werner started in up front in the centre, ahead of the offensive trip of fellow youngsters Julian Brandt and Leroy Sané, as well as regular Podolski.
Toni Kroos started in central midfield with Julian Weigl. Sami Khedira missed out with a left ankle injury and missed out on a precaution. Julian Draxler joined Özil on the sidelines with Mario Gomez.
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen replaced Manuel Neuer. Löw’s back four was Jonas Hector, Mats Hummels, Antonio Rüdiger and Joshua Kimmich. With Podolski, Kroos and Hummels there were three World Champions in the starting eleven. Kroos started his 75th international.
DFB-eleven with high counter pressing and high willingness to run
The German side were eager to get going in the sold out Signal Iduna Park and looked to stop England from breaking from the edge of their own box. Werner, Brandt and Podolski pressured the England side, forcing them into mis-placed passes. But England came on stronger and created the first chance of the game after seven minutes. Hector was outdone by a fine pass from Dele Alli and set Jamie Vardy through on goal, but the Leicester City striker could not beat ter Stegen to the ball.
The following corner saw defender Michael Keane get a shot away, but he could not keep his effort down. Sané and Brandt switched wings. The chasing game was not working as well as hoped and Hummels and Rüdiger began to hit diagonal passes from deep from their own half, so as to try and stifle England.
Podolski absent from the box, Lallana hits the post
The first attack from DFB saw Hector find Podolski, but Jake Livermore was in the right place at the right time to prevent the captain getting to the ball first. Two minutes later Podolski struck a fierce shot from outside the box, but saw his effort blocked by Michael Keane.
England became stronger in the first half and Adam Lallana found himself through one-on-one with ter Stegen, only to strike the post. Shortly before the break ter Stegen preserved the 0-0 scoreline with a wonderful save from Dele Alli, also when clean through.
Kimmich had lost the ball to Ryan Bertrand and set Alli up. Podolski was also involved in German’s last attack of the half, although his shot was high over the bar from 20 yards.
Germany get stronger
Germany came out the better side after the break. Brandt found himself in space following a corner but could only fire wide. The build-up play from the home side was also stronger, and Kroos almost set up Podolski but the forward was unable to connect with the pass.
At the other end, ter Stegen had to be alert to keep out a shot from Dier. Shortly after André Schürrle was introduced and looks strong on the pitch. The Dortmund player almost had an instant impact when shot wide of the England goal just after the hour.
Podolski scores and receives ovation
It was left to Podolski. Kroos played a ball to Schürrle, who moved the ball onto Podolski. Then Poldi did what he does best, and rifled a shot into the top corner with twenty minutes to go. Four minutes later Sané had the chance to double the lead, but was denied by a smart save by Hart.
