Germany and France played out an entertaining draw in their high-profile international friendly in Cologne. The match ended 2-2, but Corentin Tolisso’s side were ahead for long periods of the game thanks to a brace from Alexandre Lacazette. Timo Werner had earlier levelled the game at 1-1 before Lars Stindl secured a draw for Die Mannschaft in injury time.
Four Bayern players featured in the match at the RheinEnergieStadion. Mats Hummels played 45 minutes, and Niklas Süle started alongside him in central defence for the world champions. Tolisso was also handed a start in central midfield for France. Sebastian Rudy came on in the 75th minute but Kingsley Coman was an unused substitute. Jerome Boateng had been named in the squad but returned to Munich the previous day. Ahead of the game, there was a moment’s silence to honour the recently deceased 1954 World Cup winner Hans Schäfer.
Stindl rescues a draw
After a feisty opening period with chances for both sides, the visitors grew ever stronger. Germany thought they had ridden out the increasing pressure from Les Bleus, but the 1998 world champions were clinical as Lacazette simply had to tap home Anthony Martial’s ball after half an hour. Germany had more of the ball but could not find that decisive pass in the opposition half.
The hosts were more on the front foot following the break, and Werner rewarded the efforts of Joachim Löw’s team to make it 1-1. However, moments after Toni Kross stuck the woodwork, Lacazette restored France’s lead on the counter. It wasn’t until the 92nd minute that Stindl got that final equaliser to extend Germany’s unbeaten run to 21 matches.
Six goals in Russia
Seven months ahead of the World Cup finals, Thiago got a sense of the occasion with a friendly for Spain in host country Russia. There were six goals for the fans in St. Petersburg to enjoy as the 2010 winners played out a 3-3 draw with the upcoming hosts despite holding a two-goal lead.
Jordi Alba and a Sergio Ramos penalty put Julen Lopetegui’s side ahead before Fyodor Smolov and Aleksey Miranchuk drew Russia level. Ramos converted a second penalty to restore the Spanish lead but another strike from Smolov secured a draw for the hosts. Thiago was no longer on the pitch at this point as the Bayern midfielder was subbed off after an hour.