Werder Bremen's Niclas Füllkrug scored twice as Germany beat Peru 2-0 in an international friendly in Mainz.

Germany 2-0 Peru
Goals: 1-0 Füllkrug 12' (assist: Havertz), 2-0 Füllkrug 33' (assist: Wolf)

In action for the first time in 2023, Germany set the tone as senior international debutant Marius Wolf drove a warning shot wide from distance. Füllkrug went one better moments later, this season’s Bundesliga top scorer sweeping Kai Havertz’s pass into the back of the net from inside the area. Peru goalkeeper Pedro Pallese thwarted Florian Wirtz and Timo Werner in quick succession as Germany turned the screw. And after Werner fired over from a tight angle, Füllkrug popped up between two defenders to tuck away Wolf’s inviting pass for his fifth goal in as many appearances for his country. Only a goal-line clearance from former Hoffenheim man Luis Advincula denied Germany’s No.9 a first-half hat-trick.

With a friendly against Belgium to come on Tuesday, Germany head coach Hansi Flick used the opportunity to introduce Mario Götze, Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry at the start of the second period. The UEFA Euro 2024 hosts continued to ask all the questions, though it wasn’t until the hour mark that they seriously threatened a third goal. Joshua Kimmich clipped a ball into the box for Gnabry, whose audacious over-head attempt rattled the crossbar. Nico Schlotterbeck then won a penalty after being upended by Miguel Araujo, only for Havertz to crash the ensuing spot-kick against the woodwork. Augsburg's Mergim Berisha missed a late chance to grab a debut goal as Germany saw out a thoroughly deserved win with minimum fuss.

Match stats

• Füllkrug has scored 20 goals for club and country since the start of the 2022/23 season.
• Wolf was one of five newcomers in Flick's squad, along with Berisha, Josha Vagnoman, Felix Nmecha and Kevin Schade.
• Kimmich won his 75th senior cap, captaining his country for the fifth time.
• Germany have won 12 of their 20 games under Flick, drawing six and losing two.
• Werner has the most goals (eight) of the Flick era. Havertz (seven), Ilkay Gündogan (six) and Füllkrug (five) are next on that particular list.
• Retired Peru striker Claudio Pizarro holds the Bundesliga record for most appearances by a non-German (490).

Teams

Germany: ter Stegen - Wolf, Ginter, N. Schlotterbeck (Kehrer 86'), Raum - Kimmich (c), Can (Goretzka 46') - Wirtz (Götze 46'), Havertz (Schade 75') - Werner (Gnabry 46'), Füllkrug (Berisha 75')
Unused subs: Trapp, Leno, Thiaw, Kehrer, Vagnoman, F. Nmecha, Günter
Out: Musiala (muscular)
Coach: Hansi Flick

Peru: Gallese (c) – Advincula (Zambrano 88'), Abram, Araujo, Lopez – Aquino (Yotun 70'), Tapia, Cartagena (Polo 56') – Carrillo (Sandoval 88'), Gonzales (Flores 46') - Ruidiaz (Lapadula 46')
Unused subs: Caceda, Carvallo, Santamaria, Trauco, Liza, Pena, Castillo, Valera
Out: -
Coach: Juan Reynoso

As it happened

2 - 0

(2 - 0)

Germany

FINAL

Peru

Friendly
International International MEWA-Arena, Mainz

90'

+ 5

Full-time: Germany 2-0 Peru

A pleasing performance from Hansi Flick's Germany, who looked determined to show what they are capable of and could have easily won by a greater margin. A good start to their long EURO 2024 build-up.

End of second half

90'

+ 2

Yellow card

David Raum

90'

Four minutes of stoppage time indicated

Time is running out for another goal.

88'

Germany still pushing

The hosts are looking for a third as the game draws towards a close.

86'

Schlotterbeck off

The centre-back is another player to have impressed tonight. He goes down under a challenge and requires his knee to be strapped, so comes off for Kehrer in the final minutes.

86'

Substitution

Timo Kehrer

Nico Schlotterbeck

82'

Gnabry snaps a shot wide

He has looked lively ever since coming on at half-time, but Gnabry fires wide after being supplied by Berisha on the left.

80'

Time for a Mexican wave

The sell-out crowd have enjoyed themselves, with the Peru fans also remaining noisy throughout. The players are still going for it, but there is a bit of tiredness out there and the fans break into a wave.

75'

Two attacking debutants

Berisha of Augsburg and Schade of Brentford (formerly of Freiburg) come on to earn their first caps in the final 15 minutes.

75'

Substitution

Mërgim Berisha

Niclas Füllkrug

75'

Substitution

Kevin Schade

Kai Havertz

73'

Gnabry dips ball wide

Serge Gnarby twists inside a defender on the right and sends a dipping cross ahead of Havertz that falls just the wrong side of the post.

Good test

Hansi Flick can be happy with Germany's performance so far. There has been a good tempo and purpose to them as they continue to look for goals. Peru have played their part too, they are not making things easy and have been very combative at times.

© IMAGO/kolbert-press/Marc Niemeyer/IMAGO/kolbert-press

68'

Havertz misses penalty

The Chelsea attacker strikes the penalty into the right post. He turns the ball into the net straight away on the rebound, but you're not allowed to score that way, Kai, and it's disallowed.

66'

Penalty to Germany

VAR confirms the trip on Schlotterbeck.

64'

Schlotterbeck down in the box

The centre-back bursts through two opposing defenders on the edge of the box and goes down under a challenge from Araujo. No penalty is given despite appeals from the Germany players. VAR will check this...

63'

Goretzka to Götze

The Bayern man clips the ball into Götze, who allows it to run a little too far ahead. Germany are looking a regular threat now with their swift attacking play.

60'

Gnabry rattles the crossbar!

That would have been some goal! Kimmich chips the ball over the defence and Serge Gnabry pulls off a sleek bicycle kick that sends the ball on goal with immense power. Unfortunately for him, it smashes into the bar.

59'

Good combination play

Gnabry, Kimmich, Havertz and Wolf are all involved in some short passing that looks to break a way through the Peru defence on the right.

53'

Gnabry floored

The Bayern attacker gets knocked down by Peru goalkeeper Gallesse in challenging for the ball. There is no suggestion it was anything but accidental. Peru play on and win a corner, meanwhile Gnabry is well enough to continue.

51'

Peru corner

The South Americans show their ambition again with Lapadula, who came on as a half-time substitute, charging at the defence and playing the ball to Carrillo before Schlotterbeck turns it behind a corner that comes to nothing.

49'

Germany on the attack

The hosts continue to have the upper hand. Raum and Kimmich combine well with a free-kick 30 metres out, and the captain plays the ball out to Wolf on the right, who sends a decent cross in.

46'

Triple change

As you would expect, Hansi Flick mixes things up for the second half of the friendly. The only member of the 2014 World Cup winning side named in the current squad, Mario Götze, who is at Frankfurt these days, is one of the trio of incoming players.

46'

Substitution

Leon Goretzka

Emre Can

46'

Substitution

Serge Gnabry

Timo Werner

46'

Substitution

Mario Götze

Florian Wirtz

46'

We're back

Peru kick-off the second half with Germany having made three changes...

Kick-off!

45'

+ 2

Half-time: Germany 2-0 Peru

An entertaining 45 minutes of friendly international football and a very pleasing half for Germany, and Niclas Füllkrug in particular! His two goals have put his side comfortably in front.

Half-time

45'

One minute of stoppage time indicated

Almost time for the break in Mainz.

44'

That could have been the hat-trick!

Wirtz pulls the ball back at the far post following a Havertz cross and Niclas Füllkrug sends a shot on goal that beats the goalkeeper but is blocked by Advincula.

42'

Germany buzzing

You can sense the Germany players are pleased with their work so far, but eager to add more goals to make a statement tonight. Peru continue to battle but are being well outplayed.

38'

Schlotterbeck finds Havertz

Another good chip forward from the Dortmund defender and Havertz chests it down in the box, only for a defender to clear.

33'

Füllkrug at the double!

He strikes again! Wolf turns a ball into the area on a quick attack and Füllkrug nips in between two defenders to pounce with a real poacher's finish. VAR checks for a possible offside, but the goal stands.

33'

Niclas Füllkrug

GOAL!

2:0

31'

Werner hits over

The ball breaks to Werner at the far post from a corner. He takes the ball down well and is suddenly through on goal from a tight angle. The Leipzig striker shoots over.

29'

Germany in command

After a fairly fluent spell with action at both ends, Peru have dropped back now while Germany dominate possession, move the ball around and seek to find a way through for opportunities to extend their lead.

Füllkrug's fourth

The striker now has four goals in five international appearances for Germany.

© IMAGO/Bernd Feil / MiS/IMAGO/MIS

23'

Raum delivery almost brings a second

A great cross from the full-back is narrowly missed by both Werner and Füllkrug in the box.

22'

Ruidiaz whips a wicked ball in

The Peru striker plays it across and behind the Germany defence from the right, but none of his team-mates can meet it. This game has really sparked to life after a slow opening few minutes!

20'

Wirtz and Werner denied

A pair of good chances come as Germany race through the Peru defence. Wirtz is denied by a stop by Gallese, and the Peru keeper reacts really well to save from Werner on the rebound.

19'

Schlotterbeck smashes clear

The Dortmund centre-back pulls off an acrobatic volleyed clearance after a Gonzales free-kick had been turned into the Germany box.

15'

Werner tries to pick out Havertz

Germany are looking to press on. Werner escapes behind the Peru defensive line and tries to cut back to Havertz, who is lurking on the edge of the box, but it's cleared.

12'

Füllkrug fires Germany in front!

Germany have started to build some pressure and get a deserved lead. Moments after getting a header saved on the line from a corner, Havertz chests a long pass from Schlotterbeck into Füllkrug, who sweeps straight in from within the box!

12'

Niclas Füllkrug

GOAL!

1:0

9'

Wolf whacks a shot wide

The first effort from Germany comes after the ball was played out to the onrushing Wolf on the right in a fluent attacking move. He connects well with a drive but it flies wide.

7'

Füllkrug tries to feed Havertz

A decent pass is played through the Peruvian defence by the Werder Bremen striker, but the Chelsea attacker can't quite get onto the end of it.

6'

Peru = pressing

Germany are playing the ball around but the red shirts of Peru are chasing into them and getting a lot closer than Hansi Flick would have wished. Very early still though...

3'

Error at the back

Wolf plays the ball across straight to Carrillo, but the Peruvian attacking midfielder is unable to get a shot away.

1'

Kick-off

A new chapter begins for the German national team - with the first match after the 2022 World Cup and before EURO 2024 in Germany.

Kick-off!

The anthems are being played

The Peru players are in full voice, even if they aren't all quite hitting the perfect tune...the German anthem next then we can start!

Atmosphere building in Mainz

A sell-out crowd is expected for only the third ever Germany international in the city. There are plenty of Peru flags around the place too. Kick-off is in a few minutes!

Peru power

The visitors were within penalty shoot-out heartbreak against Australia within qualifying for last year's World Cup. They had finished fifth in South America's qualifying table, ahead of Colombia and Chile among others.

All change

Another note on the Germany starting XI tonight - just two players started in the 4-2 win over Costa Rica in the final match of the World Cup in November - Kimmich and Raum.

Niclas never full of goals

As well as enjoying a fabulous Bundesliga season with newly promoted Werder Bremen, the league's top scorer Niclas Füllkrug has got his German international record off to a quietly impressive start - with three goals in his first four caps. He will fancy his chances of netting one or two more against Peru tonight.

© IMAGO/BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Wunderl/IMAGO/Beautiful Sports

More on that Germany team

The headline news is that Marius Wolf starts at right-back to earn his first cap. Ter Stegen starts in goal as expected, with Manuel Neuer still injured. The front two of Füllkrug and Werner were revealed by Hansi Flick ahead of the match. Four other first time call-ups - Josha Vagnoman, Mergim Berisha, Felix Nmecha and Kevin Schade are on the bench.

More on that Peru team

The South Americans are a bit of an unknown quantity to most German football followers, it's fair to say. Luis Advincula, who played twice for Hoffenheim in 2012/13 and is now at Boca Juniors, starts at right-back, while former Schalke, St Pauli and Frankfurt striker Carlos Zambrano is on the bench.

Peru subs

Caceda, Carvallo, Santamaria, Zambrano, Trauco, Polo, Liza, Lapadula, Pena, Sandoval, Yotun, Flores, Castillo, Valera

Peru starting XI

Gallese (c) – Advincula, Abram, Araujo, Lopez – Aquino, Tapia, Cartagena – Carrillo, Gonzales - Ruidiaz

Germany subs

Leno, Trapp, Günter, Kehrer, Thiaw, Vagnoman, Gnabry, Goretzka, Götze, Nmecha, Berisha, Schade

Germany starting XI

Ter Stegen - Wolf, Ginter, Schlotterbeck, Raum - Can, Kimmich (c) - Wirtz, Havertz - Füllkrug, Werner

Ter Stegen's Neuer wishes

Manuel Neuer misses out on this game as the Bayern Munich custodian recovers from a long-term injury. Speaking from the Germany camp, Marc-Andre ter Stegen said of Neuer: "We wrote a bit to each other back-and-forth at the beginning. I have already said it a couple of times: I hope that he comes back quickly [but] takes his time to get back 100% fit. I wish that for him as a colleague, friend and long-time fellow national team player."

Can's Wolf praise

Back in the Germany fold once more, Dortmund midfielder Emre Can - who has won 37 senior caps - offered high praise for his BVB teammate Marius Wolf, involved in a senior Germany set-up for the first time. "Marius has always had top quality," Can said. "He has done brilliantly in the last few weeks. It's no secret that no single player has held down that right-back position. Marius can take his chance and I believe in him doing that."

© Imago

2:36

Füllkrug and Werner up top

In his pre-match press conference, Germany coach Hansi Flick said tonight's hosts would start with the Bundesliga's current top goalscorer alongside RB Leipzig's sharp-shooting striker this evening. "We'll play with a front two of Niclas Füllkrug and Timo Werner," the tactician explained. "They've worked well together in training and carry a lot of presence in the box."

Watch: Wirtz and Musiala head-to-head

Florian Wirtz is also back in the Germany setup for the first time since his cruciate ligament tear in early 2022. Ahead of his Bundesliga encounter with Bayern's Musiala last weekend, we took a closer look at two players who bust the myth that you only get players of their quality once in a generation.

1:32

Watch: All of Berisha's Bundesliga goals this season

See all eight of Berisha's goals for Augsburg in his first Bundesliga campaign that convinced Flick to call up the 24-year-old, including three in two league outings against Bayern. The striker boasts a remarkable record of having scored in all four of his competitive appearances against the record champions (five goals in total) for Augsburg and Red Bull Salzburg.

Five new faces

Looking for that "broader squad", Flick has named five players uncapped at senior level who he wants to try out during this international window in full-back Josha Vagnoman (Stuttgart), wide man Marius Wolf (Dortmund), striker Mergim Berisha (Augsburg), midfielder Felix Nmecha (Wolfsburg) and forward Kevin Schade (Freiburg, on loan at Brentford).

© DFL 2023

No Müller, Sane, Rüdiger or Süle

There are a number of big names missing from this Germany squad as Flick "looks for alternatives and a broader squad" looking ahead to Euro 2024. It means the coach has opted not to include the likes of Thomas Müller, Leroy Sane, Antonio Rüdiger or Niklas Süle for these two games, but also by no means ruling them out of the reckoning in the future.

© IMAGO/Ulrich Wagner/IMAGO/Ulrich Wagner

Musiala drops out

Flick originally named a 24-man squad last Friday for these two friendlies, but that is now down to 23 after Jamal Musiala pulled out with a thigh strain and the coach decided not to call up a replacement. That injury also makes the Bayern forward a doubt for Der Klassiker on 1 April. Former Bochum defender Armel Bella-Kotchap was also in the original squad but had to withdraw with a shoulder injury. Malick Thiaw, formerly of Schalke, was called in as cover.

© IMAGO/Maik Hölter/TEAM2sportphoto/IMAGO/Team 2

Germany's schedule

Hansi Flick and his team host Peru on Saturday before taking on Belgium in Cologne on Tuesday. Since Germany are hosting next year's Euro 2024, they aren't scheduled to play a competitive fixture again until they kick off the tournament in Munich on 14 June next year.

Welcome along!

Thanks for joining us for live coverage of Germany's friendly match against Peru on Saturday at the MEWA-Arena in Mainz.

© IMAGO/Bernd Feil/M.i.S./IMAGO/MIS

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