Dortmund - Lukas Podolski signed off his Germany career in
style on Wednesday smashing home the winning goal with his trusty left boot to
seal a 1-0 friendly victory over England.
It was only fitting that the Galatasaray forward, who joins
Japan's Vissel Kobe next season, should claim his 49th goal on his 130th - and
final - international appearance.
Podolski captained the world champions to their first win over old rivals England on home soil since 1987.
The 31-year-old received a standing ovation in Dortmund
after a pre-match presentation to mark his 13-year international career.
After his winning goal lit up an otherwise dull friendly on
69 minutes, Podolski came off to more thunderous applause with six minutes to
go.
Before kick-off England manager Gareth Southgate paid
tribute to the victims of Wednesday's London "terror" attack and said
there was no question of cancelling the match.
Southgate, who took the brave decision to drop Manchester
United star Wayne Rooney from his squad, fielded a new-look side who had the
better of the Germans in the first half.
West Bromwich Albion's Jake Livermore came in for injured
Jordan Henderson while Leicester's Jamie Vardy took Harry Kane's place up
front.
Gary Cahill captained the team as part of a back three while
James Ward-Prowse, Nathan Redmond and Michael Keane all made their debuts for
the visitors.
Germany coach Joachim Loew also experimented by starting
just three 2014 World Cup winners in Toni Kroos, Mats Hummels and Podolski.
A fourth, Sami Khedira, dropped out hours before kick-off
with a swollen ankle.
Striker Timo Werner, 21, earned his Germany debut after
scoring 14 goals for RB Leipzig this season.
Keane fired over in the early stages as England made a
bright start and Adam Lallana's powerful shot hit the post with 30 minutes
gone.
Podolski fired over Germany's best first-half chance after
being set up by Manchester City's Leroy Sane.
With half-time approaching Dele Alli forced Germany
goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen into a reflex save as it stayed goalless at
the break.
Germany took control at the start of the second half with
winger Julian Brandt firing wide.
Podolski tested England goalkeeper Joe Hart, while Eric Dier
forced ter Stegen, in for injured Manuel Neuer, into a diving save on 52
minutes.
But Podolski steered the friendly Germany's way with the
superb winner on 69 minutes.
A Kroos pass found replacement Andre Schuerrle, who laid the
ball off for Podolski, whose bullet shot off his left foot gave Hart no chance
from 25 metres out.
The goal breathed life into the hosts and only a good save
denied Sane after a storming run into the area and the City midfielder had
another late chance.
Both teams have important World Cup qualifiers on Sunday.
The teams are top of their respective groups for the matches on the road to Russia 2018 when England host Lithuania and Germany are away to Azerbaijan.