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Germany vs England as it happened: Lukas Podolski screamer sinks Gareth Southgate's new-look side

Follow live updates from the international friendly at Dortmund's Signal Iduna Park

Luke Brown,Liam Lines
Wednesday 22 March 2017 19:10 GMT

England visit Germany as Gareth Southgate examines his squad ahead of this weekend's World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.

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What time does it start?

Germany vs England kicks off at 7.45pm GMT at the Signal Iduna Park Stadium, Dortmund.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown on ITV, with coverage starting at 7.15pm. Highlights will be shown at 11.15pm on ITV.

Prediction...

It’s a big game for…

Joe Hart: The Manchester City player currently on-loan at Torino will be eager to show he’s still the best England shot-stopper.

He has proven himself as Torino’s number one, but has cost the Italian side vital wins this season. Most recently two mistakes cost Torino a victory against Inter Milan.

Best stat…

Joachim Low’s men have gone 558 minutes without conceding a goal. The last was against France in Euro 2016 with Antoine Griezmann was the scorer.

Remember when…


England got their Euro 2000 campaign off to a good start against the Germans as both teams went head-to-head in a group that also included Romania and Portugal.

In classic style, an Alan Shearer header set-up by David Beckham put the Three Lions ahead. However, both countries would fail to qualify out of the group.

Player to watch…

Timo Werner: This is the 21-year-old’s first call up for the national first team after he impressed Joachim Low with his performances from the left side of midfield for RB Leipzig, who sees potential in the forward.

With a point to prove and having bagged 14 goals this season, Werner is certainly a player to keep an eye on.

Past three meetings…

Germany 2 (Kroos, Gomez) England 3 (Kane, Vardy, Dier)
International friendly, March 2016

England 0 Germany 1 (Mertesacker)
International friendly, November 2013

Germany 4 (Klose, Podolski, Muller 2) England 1 (Upson)
World Cup, June 2010

Form guide…

Germany: WWWWD

England: LWWDWD

Odds…

Provided by 888Sports.com

Germany to win: 3/4

England to win: 15/4

Draw: 11/4

Vithushan Ehantharajah22 March 2017 19:16

It's hard to believe that this happened only 12 months ago...

Vithushan Ehantharajah22 March 2017 19:17

Worried that our lads could be set for a bit of a hammering this evening? Don't despair!

The real surprise about Southgate's first line-up as the permanent England manager isn't really the fact he's gone for three at the back, but rather that he's decided not to start with John Stones.

A mistake? Gary Cahill is of course used to playing in the formation and Chris Smalling is comfortable bringing the ball out from the back, but tonight is a huge test for Burnley's Keane, and on his debut, no less.  

Vithushan Ehantharajah22 March 2017 19:22

Gareth Southgate has just been interviewed by ITV:

Our first thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives and been injured.

It puts football into perspective. We’re conscious that part our of identity as a nation is that we carry on in moments like this, and it’s important we represent our country in the right way tonight.

Well said that man.

Vithushan Ehantharajah22 March 2017 19:25

Something that adds a little spice to tonight's fixture: it is now 30 years since Germany - or England for that matter - beat the other side at home.

Since 1987, when West Germany beat England 3-1 at home, England have won four of their subsequent 12 meetings. Those wins were all on the road: in Charleroi (Euro 2000), Munich (5-1 in 2001) and twice in friendlies in Berlin (2008 and 2016). 

Germany have meanwhile won encounters in Italy (World Cup 1990), Wembley (1991, Euro 96, 2000, 2007 and 2013), South Africa (World Cup 2010) and the US (Pontiac Silverdrome 1993). 

Can they finally pick up a win in their own back yard?

Vithushan Ehantharajah22 March 2017 19:33

Here's a glimpse of the match programme, featuring an exclusive interview with our lad Gareth:

Oh, it's all in German. As you were.

Vithushan Ehantharajah22 March 2017 19:37

As you would expect, the Westfalenstadion is packed to the rafters. The players are in the tunnel ... and that's where they'll stay, for now. Looks like they were told to leave their dressing room a fraction early.

Everybody is now mingling a little awkwardly. One of the German players is chatting politely to absolutely massive eagle mascot. Great stuff. 

Vithushan Ehantharajah22 March 2017 19:40

Here we go! Polite mascot chat over. Podolski leads out Germany. Cahill leads out England. Southgate and Low shake hands and it's just about time for the anthems.

Vithushan Ehantharajah22 March 2017 19:40

A quick reminder of England's subs bench:

Forster, Clyne, Shaw, Stones, Barkley, Ward-Prowse, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lingard, Redmond, Rashford, Defoe, Sterling, Heaton. 

Southgate has left some very good players out of his starting XI this evening. It will be interesting to see how the likes of Redmond and Rashford fare later in the game, running at a tired defence.

Vithushan Ehantharajah22 March 2017 19:42

Vithushan Ehantharajah22 March 2017 19:43

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