Argentina abase world champs Germany in Duesseldorf

Argentina abased Germany at the World Cup champions’ home ground in Duesseldorf on Wednesday. In a friendly football match, the former world champions thumped the defending champions by 4-2 despite the absence of their injured captain Lionel Messi. In an entertaining rematch of July’s FIFA World Cup final, Argentina ran circles around Germany on their home turf in the first outing for both teams since the Germans’ 1-0 extra-time victory in the 2014 final in Brazil. The inexperienced Germany defence could not contain new Manchester United signing Di Maria in the first half. He set up the first goal in the 21st minute with a pinpoint lob to the penalty spot where Sergio Aguero slipped away from his marker and beat Manuel Neuer with an unstoppable volley from point-blank range. Nineteen minutes later Di Maria broke free on the right near the touch line when he lofted a soft cross back to Erik Lamela, who smashed a volley past a frustrated-looking Neuer. Federico Fernandez made it 3-0 two minutes after the intermission before di Maria scored a superb lob to make it 4-0 in the 50th minute. Andre Schuerrle got one back for Germany in the 52nd minute, tapping in after a scramble in front of Sergio Romero's goal and World Cup hero Mario Goetze made it 4-2 in the 78th minute, according to a news agency.