Lionel Messi scores after penalty miss as Argentina outclass Germany

Lionel Messi missed a first-half penalty but
made amends with a superb second-half
goal as Argentina outclassed Germany 3-1
in a friendly in Frankfurt.
An own-goal by Sami Khedira gave
Argentina the lead in first-half stoppage-
time, Messi swept home the second early in
the second half and Angel Di Maria blasted
the third with an astonishing 35-metre
drive. Benedikt Hoewedes headed
Germany's late reply.
Germany played for nearly one hour with
10 men after their goalkeeper, Ron-Robert
Zieler, was sent off for hauling down José
Sand in the incident which led to the
penalty.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen came on for his
second cap and, with his first touch, dived
to his left to save Messi's weakly taken
penalty in the 31st minute.
With a one-man disadvantage Germany
were easy prey for Argentina's diminutive
strikers and at one point it seemed the
South Americans might avenge their 4-0
quarter-final defeat at the World Cup.
Nothing went right for Germany, with
Marco Reus blasting a shot against the post
and Khedira's effort on the rebound
disallowed for offside.
Messi scored in his fifth international in
succession, a run which started in the 2-1
World Cup qualifying win in Colombia last
November and included hat-tricks against
Switzerland and Brazil.
Argentina have won those five games and
their coach, Alejandro Sabella, who took
over with the team at a low ebb after a
quarter-final exit at the Copa America
which they hosted last year, has put them
back on the rails.
There were plentiful chances at both ends in
the first half but Argentina got the break
when Khedira turned Di Maria's corner into
his own net in stoppage time.
Argentina brought on Sergio Agüero for
Sand at half-time and extended their lead
when Gonzalo Higuain, wearing a headband
after a clash in the first half, pulled the ball
back from the byline and Messi produced a
majestic left-foot finish.
Messi then missed when he was sent clean
through on goal but sent a characteristic
dink wide of the target.
Di Maria made it 3-0 with a stunning drive
in the 73rd minute, then Messi produced a
mesmerising run through the defence but
again narrowly missed the target.
Hoewedes pulled one back for Germany but
there was still time for Higuain to hit the
post.

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