Germany 2-4 Argentina: Di Maria shines

Manchester United's new signing scored a goal and provided three assists, helping Argentina win against the reigning World Cup champions in a friendly match on September 3rd.

Di Maria helped Argentina take a 4-0 lead against Germany in a friendly match on September 3rd. Photo: AFP.

Argentinians may have somewhat recovered from their defeat in the 2014 World Cup final. When Germany donned their four-star jersey for the first time, symbolizing their four world championships, at a ceremony honoring recently retired champions like Philipp Lahm and Miroslav Klose, the Tango dancers destroyed everything with a barrage of goals against Dusseldorf.

Angel Di Maria, Manchester United's expensive new signing, was the most talked-about player, assisting three goals for Sergio Aguero, Erik Lamela, and Federico Fernandez before scoring the fourth himself. The home team managed to score two consolation goals through Andre Schurrle and Mario Gotze.

Witnessing Di Maria's performance, Argentinian fans probably secretly wished: if only the "angel" hadn't been injured in the World Cup final nearly two months ago and could have played, who knows, the team that won the championship after 120 minutes might not have been Germany.

Unlike the previous encounterWorld Cup finalIn Brazil, the two teams that met on September 3rd did not field their strongest lineups. Coach Gerardo Martino, in his first match in charge of Argentina, was without Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, and others. On the other side, coach Joachim Low also did not include Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller, and Mario Gotze in the starting XI.

True to the nature of a friendly match, the game proceeded at a slow pace, with the players playing cautiously. Germany, with the home advantage, had the first dangerous opportunity. Mario Gomez led the attack in place of Klose, taking a close-range shot in the 7th minute, but it was saved by goalkeeper Romero.

The atmosphere really heated up when Di Maria, with his magical feet, began to threaten Manuel Neuer's net.

In the 20th minute, Di Maria, from the edge of the penalty area, skillfully used the outside of his left foot to deliver a perfect pass, allowing Aguero to break free and calmly tap the ball in to open the scoring.

Twenty minutes later, in an attempt to save the ball near the byline, the Man Utd midfielder delivered another assist, setting up Lamele to unleash a volley into the top corner of the German goal, leaving Neuer rooted to the spot.

Just two minutes into the second half, Di Maria took another free kick, delivering a perfect pass to Rojo, who rose high to head the ball into the net from close range, making the score 3-0.

Three minutes later, Di Maria scored the fourth goal himself, a strike that showcased all his qualities. The "Angel" combined with a teammate in midfield with a one-two pass before using his speed to break through the German defender's defense. Facing goalkeeper Weidenfeller, he finished with a skillful shot, sending the ball over the goalkeeper's head, leaving the Dortmund custodian with no chance of saving it.

Germany's two consolation goals were scored quite easily. Andre Schurrle comfortably finished from a corner kick, scoring to reduce the deficit. Then, in the 78th minute, Mario Gotze's shot deflected off an Argentinian defender and into the net, sealing the final score at 2-4.

Starting lineup

Germany: Neuer (Weidenfeller 46), Durm, Howedes (Rudiger 77), Ginter, Grosskreutz, Kroos (Rudy 71), Kramer, Schurrle (Muller 57), Reus, Draxler (Podolski 33), Gomez (Gotze 57).

Goals: Schurrle 52, Gotze 78.

Argentina: Romero (Andujar 79), Rojo Federico Fernandez, Demichelis, Zabaleta (Campagnaro 77), Mascherano, Biglia, Perez (Augusto Fernandez 46), Di Maria (Alvarez 86), Lamela (Gago 68), Aguero (Gaitan 83).

Goals: Aguero 20, Lamela 40, Federico Fernandez 47, Di Maria 50.

According to VnExpress.net