Germany and Argentina played a thrilled in Frankfurt on Wednesday, though it probably would have been a bit better if there wasn't an early sending off. Ron-Robert Zieler was shown a straight red card in the 30th minute, taking Germany down to 10 men for the final 60 minutes of the match. Germany put up a good fight, but couldn't hold off the Argentina attack as the Albiceleste won 3-1.
That red card picked up by Zieler forced Germany to sacrifice an outfield player, and Thomas Müller was the man who made way for Marc-Andre ter Stegen. With his first touch of the ball, he made a brilliant save on a penalty by Lionel Messi, keeping the match tied at 0-0.
Germany gave away their first goal just before the stroke of halftime, and Argentina didn't have to do much of anything to earn it. Angel di Maria swung in a corner kick in first half stoppage time and failed to find a teammate, but did find Germany midfiedler Sami Khedira. Instead of clearing the ball away, he directed it at his own net and past ter Stegen for an own goal.
For the final 15 minutes of the first half, Germany hung with Argentina despite their one-man disadvantage. Argentina was much better to start the second half and made their advantage count early. In the 52nd minute, Messi cut through the defense and delivered one of his signature composed finishes, putting his team up 2-0. Di Maria made it 3-0 in the 73rd minute with the best goal of the day, hitting a laser beam by ter Stegen from nearly 30 yards out.
Germany would pull back a consolation goal, and in impressive fashion. Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Mario Götze set up the goal with a great cross into the box towards the head of defender Benidikt Höwedes, who got forward and powered in a great header for his first goal in a Germany shirt.