Germany back on winners list

Germany defeated fellow World Cup semi-finalists Uruguay 2-1 in an international friendly on Sunday, while Honduras drew with El Salvador.

An inexperienced Germany team lost 2-1 to Australia in their last friendly outing on March 29, but coach Joachim Loew kept faith with his young side and was duly rewarded.

In a rematch of the third-place playoff at the 2010 World Cup, which Germany won 3-2, Bayern Munich centre-forward Mario Gomez put the hosts ahead after 26 minutes of the match at Hoffenheim’s Rhein-Neckar Arena.

Gomez dispossessed Diego Lugano just inside the Uruguay half before beating two men and shooting past Lazio goalkeeper Fernando Muslera for an accomplished solo opener.

Mainz forward Andre Schuerrle made it 2-0 on 36 minutes, receiving Mesut Ozil’s pass to smash an unstoppable strike beyond Muslera and into the Uruguay net.

It was Schuerrle’s first international goal in just his third appearance for Germany.

Napoli midfielder Walter Gargano pulled one back for Uruguay four minutes into the second half.

Germany’s attacking threat diminished with the withdrawal of Real Madrid playmaker Ozil, but Uruguay obliged the hosts by failing to create a genuine chance to equalise in the second half.

Livewire Borussia Dortmund teenager Mario Goetze missed Germany’s best opportunity to extend their lead late on, but the 19-year-old failed to beat Muslera with an attempted chip.

Also on Sunday, Honduras gave up a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 against fierce rivals El Salvador in Houston.

Carlos Costly put Honduras ahead on 45 minutes at Robertson Stadium and Jerry Bengtson doubled the lead from the penalty spot five minutes into the second half.

But two goals in the space of three minutes from Rodolfo Zelaya and Rudis Corrales helped El Salvador emerge with a draw.