Angel di Maria set up three goals and scored the fourth himself as Argentina beat Germany 4-2 in their friendly game Wednesday to get a small measure of revenge after losing to the host in the World Cup final in Brazil.
The £59.7million Manchester United star‘s energy, creativity and wand of a left foot were put to devastating use.
In the 20th minute, his stunning pass enabled Sergio Aguero to make it 1-0. Then on 39 minutes, he was at it again, this time racing onto a pass down the right and floating a cross to Erik Lamela, who volleyed into the roof of the net to make it 2-0.
On resumption of the second half, Di Maria’s deep free-kick from the left was headed home by Federico Fernandez.
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Di Maria crowned his performance in the 50th with a chip over substitute Germany ‘keeper Roman Weidenfeller to make it 4-0.
Andre Schurrle pulled a goal back for Germany before Fernandez turned a Mario Gotze effort into his own goal, on a night when only players from the English Premier League found the back of the net.
At the Wembley Stadium, Wayne Rooney’s first goal as England captain ensured a winning start to life after the World Cup in an unconvincing victory over Norway.
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Just 40,181 turned up to watch England register a 1-0 win thanks to Rooney’s 69th-minute penalty.
Kevin Doyle and Alex Pearce helped the Republic of Ireland warm up for their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Oman.
With this win, Martin O’Neill can now prepare his side for Sunday’s trip to Georgia in their opening European Championship qualifier.
Alejandro Bedoya scored the winner in the United States’ first action since the World Cup to secure a 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic at Generali Arena in Prague.
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