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Germany shine; Serbs stretch Brazilians

Last Updated 07 June 2014, 18:46 IST

Germany produced a dazzling display of attacking football to thrash Armenia 6-1 in their last World Cup warmup on Friday but Marco Reus was ruled out of the finals after suffering ligament damage. 

The Germans, looking to end an 18-year wait for an international title, scored all their goals in the second half after midfielder Reus was taken to hospital for checks after being injured in the 43rd minute.

Mario Gotze struck twice and Lukas Podolski, Andre Schurrle, Benedikt Hoe-wedes and Miroslav Klose, who became his country's all-time top scorer with 69 goals, were also on target as the hosts hit five goals in 18 minutes.

Germany, who take on Portugal, Ghana and United States in World Cup Group G later this month, were without first-choice keeper Manuel Neuer who is recovering from a shoulder injury.

Schurrle, who also scored on Sunday, gave the fans something to cheer when he drilled the ball in after 52 minutes following good work from Podolski.

Klose, who came on as a substitute, broke Gerd Muller's 40-year Germany record by notching a 69th goal on his 132nd appearance with a diving header. Gotze completed the rout with a late double.  

Brazil booed

Brazil survived a poor first half to beat Serbia 1-0 in a warm-up friendly on Friday, but their lacklustre display. 

The crowd were booing the home side when Fred got the only goal of the game in the 57th minute, with the Fluminense forward chesting down a cross from the right and poking the ball home.

Alves stunner

A stunning last-gasp header by Portugal's Bruno Alves earned his side a fortunate 1-0 win over fellow World Cup qualifiers Mexico in a warmup match in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Friday.

The game looked set for a goalless draw when Bruno Alves soared to send an unstoppable header past goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa in the 93rd minute from a cross by Joao Moutinho.

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(Published 07 June 2014, 18:46 IST)

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