Germany beat England 2-1

23rd Aug 2007

England were beaten 2-1 last night at Wembly, at the hands of the Germans.

Talking of hands, it was after a mistake by England golkeeper, Paul Robinson, that Germany levelled the score and then went on to win. A cross by Bernd Schneider caught Robinson on the back foot as he was forced to dive back into his own net to push the ball out. Unfortunately he pushed the ball away to the feet of Kevin Kuranyi who just had to tap it in.

This blunder overshadowed the amazing play from England that preceeded it. Lampard silenced his critics in the 19th minute hammering home a wonderful strike after some fancy footwork and a burst of confidence from the 19 year old Micah Richards. Richards past Pander to then neatly slip the ball to Lampard to strike it home past Jens Lehman.

England had chances to take the lead the again but Michael Owen, Kieron Dyer and Lampard all failed to hit the target.

The game began with a promising start from England but after Robinson's error the wind apeared to be knocked out of the english sails.

Hope was rekindled for a brief second as a free kick from David Beckham sailed nicely into the box only to be knocked on by Alan Smith out of the reach of John Terry . Lampard could have scored again but his shot was saved by the legs of Lehman.

It was then Germany's turn to take the lead. An awesome strike by Pander sailed into the net, and this time there was nothing Robinson could do, nothing could stop the ball after it was hit by Pander on his international debut.

Owen than took his chances to equalise but after being gifted the ball he managed to sail it over an unguarded goal.

At half time Robinson was replaced by David James and Shaun Wright-Phillips came onto the field. He looked dangerous at one point as he crossed it over to Lampard who then volleyed the ball off target, summing up England's evening.

With two crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers coming up the friendly gave Steve McClaren more problems than answers. He will still be looking for his first win at the new Wembly when England face Israel on the 8th September.