Argentina got the better of Germany 3-1 in the friendly international between the two sides at the Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt this evening.
Germany were the quicker of the two sides to get off the block, with Marco Reus trying his luck after just three minutes in vain.
The Germans continued to press on their Argentine opposition, but the South American giants soon came into their groove.
Marcos Rojo and Jose Sosa combined well on the flank, with the full-back putting in a great cross towards the far post. However, Gonzalo Higuain failed to find the target, although he was eventually found to be in an offside position.
The next chance fell to Germany on 12 minutes when Miroslav Klose and Mesut Ozil combined, but the Real Madrid playmaker's attempt was blocked.
Despite Joachim Low's side continuing to create chances, they survived a scare on 22 minutes when Angel Di Maria and Lionel Messi combined, but Mats Hummel's fended the final attempt off for a corner.
Things became more interesting on the half-hour mark when Argentina were awarded a penalty.
Sosa tried to reach a through ball but Ron-Robert Zieler came charging out of his goal and brought the midfielder down.
Zieler was subsequently sent off, but his replacement Ter Stegen saved Messi's penalty to keep the score goalless.
However, Argentina eventually broke the deadlock in the first minute of injury time when Sami Khedira put Di Maria's corner into his own net to give the South Americans a 1-0 lead at the break.
Five minutes into the second half, Ozil thought that he had restored parity when he smashed his shot into the Argentina goal, but his effort was ruled out because of offside.
Moments later Alejandro Sabella's side doubled their advantage when Messi redeemed himself for his failed penalty.
Higuain pulled the ball across the face of the Germany goal in the 52nd minute and the Barcelona forward tucked it in safely.
Argentina continued to press forward and put the German defence under pressure, as Messi almost found his second goal of the game in the 65th minute with a delicate chip.
The Albiceleste eventually scored their third goal of the evening in the 73rd minute, when Di Maria netted with a ferocious shot from around 30 yards.
Messi nearly made it 4-0 just minutes later with a fierce shot that was tipped on to the post by Ter Stegen.
Benedikt Howedes restored some pride for Germany, when he pulled one back in the 81st minute thanks to some wonderful work from Mario Gotze.
However, it was too little, too late for the home nation as Argentina eventually bagged a 3-1 win.
Subhankar Mondal
