Bundesliga
Füllkrug secures Germany draw with Mexico
Niclas Füllkrug stepped off the bench to secure Germany a friendly draw with Mexico in Julian Nagelsmann's second game in charge.
Mexico 2-2 Germany
Goals: 0-1 Rüdiger 25' (assist: Gosens), 1-1 Antuna 37' (assist: Lozano), 2-1 Sanchez 47' (assist: Antuna), 2-2 Füllkrug 51'
Germany were fresh off a 3-1 win over the USA on Nagelsmann's debut, but rode their luck in a keenly contested first half, with Mexico's Hirving Lozano unable to take advantage of some early defensive lapses. Nagelsmann's side began to find joy up the left-hand side midway through the half, though, and were rewarded when Robin Gosens flicked on Leroy Sané's near-post corner for Antonio Rüdiger to sink the opener. After the offside flag denied Thomas Müller Germany's second goal, Mexico levelled straight after play resumed through Uriel Antuna.
Nagelsmann introduced Füllkrug and Leon Goretzka at the start of the second half, but his plans were thrown into momentary disarray when Erick Sanchez headed Mexico into a 47th-minute lead. Goretzka headed over as Germany sought an immediate response, and they got it with their next attack. Guillermo Ochoa denied Florian Wirtz's header, but not substitute Füllkrug's instinctive follow-up. Ochoa had to be on his toes to prevent substitute Jonas Hofmann getting on the end of a probing Jamal Musiala pass as Germany searched for a winner. At the other end, Füllkrug got in the way of a dangerous-looking free-kick. Nagelsmann handed Kevin Behrens his senior international debut in the closing stages, but Mexico kept the Union Berlin forward and his new teammates at bay.
Match stats
- Germany are unbeaten under Nagelsmann (W1, D1).
- Borussia Dortmund's Füllkrug has now scored nine times in 11 senior appearances for Germany.
- Müller won his 125th senior cap. He is the most-capped player in the current squad.
- Musiala made history as the youngest Germany player to reach 35 caps, meanwhile, aged 20 years and 234 days.
- Germany have won six of their 15 competitive meetings with Mexico, drawing seven and losing just two.
- Javier 'Chicharito' Hernández is one of eight Mexicans to have played in the Bundesliga. He scored 28 times across two seasons with Bayer Leverkusen.
Teams
Germany: Ter Stegen - Tah, Süle (Thiaw 59'), Rüdiger, Gosens (Raum 65') - Groß (Goretzka 46'), Gündogan, Musiala (Behrens 87'), Wirtz (Hofmann 65') - Sané, Müller (Füllkrug 46')
Unused subs: Baumann, Leno, Trapp, Hummels, Andrich, Brandt, Führich, Havertz, Behrens
Out: Gnabry (broken arm), Günter (broken arm), Henrichs (muscular), Kimmich (cold), Neuer (broken leg)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
Mexico: Ochoa (c) - Sanchez, Montes, Vasquez, Gallardo - Romo (Chavez 61'), Sanchez (Cordova 61'), Ed. Alvarez, Antuna (Pineda 82') - Lozano (Huerta 82'), Gimenez (Martin 76')
Unused subs: Gonzalez, Malagon, Rodriguez, K. Alvarez, Arteaga, Juarez, Ruiz, Cortizo, Jimenez
Out: Araujo (knock)
Coach: Jaime Lozano
As it happened!
2 - 2(1 - 1)
Mexico
FINAL
Germany
vs
Full time! Mexico 2-2 Germany
Füllkrug's goal ensures Germany stay unbeaten under Nagelsmann.
90'
vs
Goretzka OK
Mr. Muscles is back on. One minute of added time to go...
89'
vs
Brave block
Goretzka needs treatment after getting in the way of a fierce shot at goal.
87'
vs
Behrens debut
One of three new call-ups, Kevin Behrens makes his Germany debut at the age of 32. The Union striker has scored four times in the Bundesliga so far this season...
87'
vs
Kevin Behrens
Jamal Musiala
86'
vs
Access denied
Germany successfully defend a flurry off corners. Still time for a late winner in Philadelphia...
82'
vs
Orbelin Pineda
Uriel Antuna
84'
vs
Füllkrug at the other end
The Dortmund striker gets his head to a teasing free-kick, directing it over from inside the six-yard box. That could have gone anywhere!
82'
vs
Cesar Huerta
Hirving Lozano
79'
vs
Musiala on the prowl
Musiala dances past two challenges, before shooting over from 20 yards. The 20-year-old is starting to take advantage of those tired Mexican legs...
76'
vs
Henry Martin
Santiago Gimenez
76'
vs
Right idea
Germany are beginning to find gaps in the Mexico defence as Goretzka sends a ball into the area. Hofmann and Sané are lurking, but Ochoa is quickest to it.
71'
vs
Superb vision!
Musiala draws the attention of a clutch of green shirts, before releasing the ball for the run of Hofmann. Ochoa beats him to it, though.
66'
vs
Double change
Leipzig's David Raum replaces left-back Gosens, who had been one of Germany's best outlets. Jonas Hofmann is also on, replacing Leverkusen teammate Wirtz. Talk about strength in depth!
65'
vs
Jonas Hofmann
Florian Wirtz
65'
vs
David Raum
Robin Gosens
64'
vs
Robin Gosens
61'
vs
Sebastian Cordova
Erick Sanchez
61'
vs
Luis Chavez
Luis Romo
59'
vs
Second change
Süle makes way for Schalke-reared Thiaw at the back. It was the other way round against the US at the weekend. Nice selection headache for Nagelsmann to have.
59'
vs
Malick Thiaw
Niklas Süle
59'
vs
Edson Alvarez
58'
vs
Sané in the mood
Mexico can't get to grips with Sané, who waltzes in off the right once more. He tries to play a give and go with Musiala, but the return ball is picked off.
55'
vs
What a record!
That's now nine goals in 11 senior Germany appearances for Füllkrug. The 30-year-old only made his debut last November, remember.
51'
vs
Füllkrug levels!
All square again in Philadelphia. Sané arrows in a cross for the head of Wirtz, who forces a flying save from Ochoa. Füllkrug then uses all his instinct to hammer in the rebound. That's exactly what he was brought on to do!
49'
vs
Chance!
Another Sané corner almost produces the equaliser. Gosens flicks it on, as he did for Rüdiger's goal, but Goretzka can't keep his close-range header down. What a response that would have been!
47'
vs
Mexico lead!
That wasn't in the script for Germany. Antuna has all the time in the world to pick his cross, and there's Sanchez, taking advantage of a Süle slip, to head Mexico ahead.
46'
vs
Fresh legs
Müller was unlucky not to mark his 125th Germany cap with a goal. Füllkrug - a natural No.9 - is his replacement. Bayern's Goretzka is also on in central midfield for Groß.
46'
vs
Niclas Füllkrug
Thomas Müller
46'
vs
Leon Goretzka
Pascal Groß
0 - 0
Kick-off!
45' +2
vs
Half-time! Mexico 1-1 Germany
Sané doesn't have the height to reach Musiala's attempted cross, and that's it for a keenly contested first half in Philly. Food for thought for Nagelsmann, who has Niclas Füllkrug on the bench.
44'
vs
Ter Stegen alert
Mexico break after Sané loses possession. Antuna races in on goal, but ter Stegen is quick to read the danger and races out of his area to hoof clear.
41'
vs
Two bites at the cherry!
Mexico are taking no chances as Rüdiger swings a cross towards Musiala. Gündogan meets the ensuing corner at the near post with an effort that's blocked. His second attempt then whistles past the far post.
37'
vs
Mexico equalise
Lozano picks off Rüdiger's attempted clearance and drives into the box, snaking round Süle before dropping it off for Antuna to score from close range.
37'
vs
Disallowed goal!
Ochoa beats away an effort from Groß as Germany win a corner. Wirtz feeds Müller, who slams in a second goal - but it's ruled out for offside.
34'
vs
Over!
Gimenez meets a Gallardo free-kick ahead of ter Stegen, but can't keep his header down. Big chance not taken!
25'
vs
Germany lead!
Sané swings in a corner that's cleared. He takes the second attempt, finding Gosens at the near post. The Union Berlin man flicks it over to the back stick, where Rüdiger rises highest to head home.
24'
vs
Same drill
Germany work the left-hand side again with Gosens and Gündogan. Musiala helps it on in the box for Sané, whose back-heeled attempt is blocked by a defender.
22'
vs
No way through
Müller touches Rüdiger's long ball out to the left for Gosens, whose cross is hooked away.
19'
vs
Speculative cross
Süle advances with the ball, but his cross is fended clear by Ochoa. Germany are still to find their groove...
17'
vs
Musiala probing
Musiala has the ball at his feet on the right-hand side of the Mexico area. The shot is on as he jinks into space, but the Bayern talent instead tries to play in a teammate and Mexico can clear.
15'
vs
Knocking at the door
Gosens blocks a cross at the expense of a corner that Süle eventually manages to clear. Germany need to ride this early wave of pressure.
11'
vs
Not far away!
Gimenez tries to find the top corner, but sends his effort just past the upright. Not sure Ter Stegen would have kept that out. Mexico are up for this!
7'
vs
Another mistake unpunished
Groß with the mistake this time. Lozano picks off the Germany midfielder's pass, before seeing a shot charged down by Tah.
5'
vs
Close!
Lovely football from Germany as Sané skates inside and feeds Musiala. He helps it on for Wirtz, whose shot is blocked by Ochoa in the Mexico goal.