England v Germany commentary

Last updated: 22nd August 2007

Half-time England 1 Germany 2

44 - Owen misses glorious chance Another mistake from Lehmann presented Owen a chance with the goal gaping - but he could only fire over.

42 - Owen goes close Owen could have found a leveller from Smith's dainty cross, only to be denied by a fine stop from Lehmann.

41 - GOAL For Germany!!! Pander has struck on his debut with a peach of a strike from 25 yards. Robinson did not have a prayer.

40 - Beckham free-kick A decent free-kick whipped in by Beckham has just evaded Richards, who has again showed considerable potential. Owen and Smith have yet to really hit it off though. Saying that, the service has been poor.

32 - Lehmann saves A typical surging run from Lamprd has concluded with his low shot being saved by Lehmann. Owen and Smith may feel a pass would have been a better option.

An entertaining affair Richards and Shorey are pushing forward well down their respective flanks and it is making for a lively contest. Germany have shrugged off a slow start and are now growing in confidence whenever in possession.

25 - GOAL!!! Germany are level More question marks over Paul Robinson. Schneider's cross from the right was mishit but deceived Robinson at his near post. A poor palm out left Kuranyi with a simple tap in.

21 - Decent strike from Hitzlsperger The former Aston Villa man fired a yard or so wide with a jackhammer of a strike

19 - Metzelder chance The big defender leapt highest from a Germany corner but directed his header just wide.

Richards fine Richards has just won another free-kick, courtesy of another fine run. What an athlete - will he keep his place when Gary Neville is fit? Or even move into the centre?

14 - Richards injured England's Micah Richards has pulled up injured with a knock on his knee. The City man looks a bit shaken but should be fine.

England looking confident Spraying the ball about with abandon in the early stages, England look compact, neat and inventive. Whatever anyone says about Lampard, you can't deny he knows where the net is. And, as my girlfriend once said to me, 'I wish you were that fat' - He's answered his critics in the best possible way.

9- GOAL for England!!! A marauding run down the right concluded with a clever pass into the path of Frank Lampard. With poise and power, from just inside the box, he lashed past Jens Lehmann.

8 - Cole shot blocked Joe Cole is looking menacing whenever on the ball and the Chelsea man has just had a decent strike blocked.

5 - Pacy opening Given the history between the two nations it comes as no surprise that the game has an atmosphere more befitting of a competitive fixture. As yet there has been little of real note but the tackles have been committed.

Gordon Brown spotted The big man is in the crowd, although whether he is wearing a German shirt under his suit cannot be confirmed.

1 - Game kicks-off England are on the immediate attack after Joe Cole is felled after a spirited run down the left. The free-kick, from Beckham, comes to nothing.

Germany Team Lehmann, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm, Odonkor, Schneider, Hitzlsperger, Pander, Trochowski, Kuranyi

England TeamRobinson; Richards, Shorey, Ferdinand, Terry; Carrick, Beckham, Lampard, Joe Cole; Owen, Smith

Welcome to skysports.com's live coverage of England's game against Germany from Wembley