The German national team, for whom Werder Bremen’s Clemens Fritz started in the right full-back position, beat Belgium 2-0(0-0)in a friendly international watched by 34,117 spectators in Nuremberg.
The German national team, for whom Werder Bremen’s Clemens Fritz started in the right full-back position, beat Belgium 2-0(0-0)in a friendly international watched by 34,117 spectators in Nuremberg.
The German national team, for whom Werder Bremen’s Clemens Fritz started in the right full-back position, beat Belgium 2-0(0-0)in a friendly international watched by 34,117 spectators in Nuremberg. Tim Wiese didn’t get to make his international debut on the night and instead watched on from the bench as Robert Enke took up the position between the posts over the full duration.
The German’s stated brightly and had a number of chances to take the lead during the first half but the sides went into the half-time break deadlocked at 0-0.
After the re-start, the German side increased the pressure considerably and with 52 minutes on the clock, Philipp Lahm brought a stunning save from Belgian keeper Stijnen with a curling shot from 22 meters out. It took until the 59th minute until Germany could finally break down the Belgian defence. Mario Gomez was tugged back in the box and referee Thomas Vejlgaard from Denmark didn’t hesitate in pointing to the spot. Bastian Schweinsteiger took on the responsibility and converted the penalty to make it 1-0.
In the 77th minute, Germany then doubled their lead. Substitute Mario Marin, making only his second appearance for the national team, combined wonderfully with Philipp Lahm to beat Toreck Stijnen and make it 2-0 – a score-line which would remain until the end.
Germany: Enke - C. Fritz, Tasci, Westermann, Lahm (82‘ Jansen) - Rolfes - Schweinsteiger, Hitzlsperger (70‘ Marin), Trochowski (80‘ Helmes) - Klose (46‘ Kuranyi), Podolski (46‘ Gomez)
Goals: 1-0 Schweinsteiger (59'), 2-0 Marin (77')
