FOOTBALL NEWS FROM Euro 2012
Schweini inspires Germany
Tweet
Three-times World Cup winners Germany turned on the style to defeat five-times world champions Brazil 3-2 in an entertaining encounter in Stuttgart tonight.

Bastian Schweinsteiger's penalty in the 61st minute gave the hosts the lead and Mario Gotze doubled their advantage six minutes later.

Robinho pulled one back for Brazil in the 71st minute, but 10 minutes from time, Andre Schurrle sealed an impressive German victory in front of 54,700 delighted fans.

Neymar grabbed a second for Brazil in stoppage time, but Germany's victory was as deserved as it was impressive.

Germany held the upper hand throughout the first half, albeit without creating any clear-cut chances to validate their superiority.

Gotze, making his starting debut in Joachim Low's side, shot wide in the 22nd minute before Dani Alves' powerful free-kick from 40 yards gave Manuel Neuer his first test in the 33rd minute. The Bayern Munich goalkeeper chose the safest option by pushing the ball away from his goal.

Alexandre Pato gave Brazil cause for optimism early in the second half when he broke free and lifted the ball over Neuer, but the ball went wide.

Nevertheless, Germany regained immediate control of the game and Philipp Lahm tested Julio Cesar with a shot which skidded off the surface and struck the Brazil goalkeeper in his chest.

That was in the 53rd minute, and six minutes later Lahm's Bayern team-mate Schweinsteiger was given the chance to score from the spot.

Toni Kroos was brushed in the penalty area by his former Bayern team mate Lucio, and the Germany midfielder's tumble prompted referee Viktor Kassai to point to the spot.

Schweinsteiger sent Julio Cesar the wrong way to delight the sell-out crowd in the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

Germany grew in confidence and a man whose confidence could hardly be any higher had the fans on their feet again in the 67th minute.

Miroslav Klose pulled the ball back to Kroos, who in turn threaded it through to the in-form crowd favourite Gotze. He rounded Julio Cesar before netting his first international goal.

The game appeared over as a contest until Lahm lost control of the ball inside his own penalty area and caught the foot of Alves with a lunge.

Robinho gave the Selecao some hope from the spot, but Mano Menezes' side were unable to gain any momentum and Germany sealed a deserved win in the 80th minute.

Schweinsteiger stole possession from Andre Santos inside the penalty area and pulled the ball back for substitute Schurrle, who shot first time into the opposite corner.

There was time for Neymar to show why he is attracting interest from many of Europe's top clubs in stoppage time when he shifted the ball onto his right foot and beat Neuer inside his near post with a shot from 20 yards, but it came too late for Brazil.