Germany remain stuck on 499 wins from 864 internationals after a 3-1 defeat to Argentina in Frankfurt on Wednesday evening, although the result was no disgrace for the team featuring three Germany men in the starting line-up following keeper Ron Robert Zieler's sending-off on the half-hour. Elsewhere, there were wins for Xherdan Shaqiri and Daniel van Buyten, draws for Franck Ribéry and Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, and defeats for Arjen Robben and Mario Mandzukic.
Holder Badstuber, Jerome Boateng
and
Thomas Müller
started for the Germans against the two-time World Cup winners, Boateng moving from right-back to centre half midway through the first period after Mats Hummels went off injured.
Toni Kroos
entered the fray after 69 minutes. Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Manuel Neuer and Mario Gomez were all excused international duty on this occasion.
Brief appearance for Müller
The Frankfurt crowd saw a lively friendly match with both teams set up to attack, the Argentine line led by world player of the year Lionel Messi. The Germans made the better start and Mezut Ozil might have opened the scoring from a Miroslav Klose pass, but keeper Romero made a good save. Müller was next to show but ...
