Germany 2-2 Argentina: Kai Havertz scores first international goal before

If you were looking for a bit more proof as to how prepared Joachim Low is in ripping up old blueprints and working towards a different plan then this performance provided it even if it requires more fine tuning.

In Serge Gnabry and Kai Havertz, Low has two players who are both effective at what they do and provide the excitement that has so often been lacking in recent times. 

And while this wasn’t as polished a display as it could have been, with Germany carelessly giving up a two-goal lead, it was evidence of a side that has found a new identity. 

Serge Gnabry celebrates scoring Germany’s first goal of the night against Argentina

Kai Havertz doubled Germany’s lead six minutes later for his first senior international goal

Havertz and Gnabry celebrate together following Germany’s second goal of the evening

Germany boss Joachim Low applauds his players after a dominant first half performance

Gnabry and Havertz gave Germany a commanding first-half lead and it could have been worse for Argentina had the hosts possessed more of a killer edge. 

Of two countries seeking so hard for new found glory, it was Germany who looked more complete in Dortmund. 

It is perhaps quite refreshing to look at both teamsheets and not know everything there is know about every individual player. It is a sign of where Germany and Argentina are. Both sides are reinventing themselves in one way or another. For Germany, with Joachim Low having been at the helm for 13 years, this is a period of uncertainty. Former key players in Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller have all been cast aside for younger, fresher players to emerge and adapt to Low’s new plans.

Argentina, in many ways, are a little more difficult to work out. For a long time there hasn’t been a long-term strategy. An over-reliance on Lionel Messi has often hindered rather than helped. Messi, of course, wasn’t in the team for this meeting in Dortmund – the Barcelona player still serving a three-match ban for criticising officials after he was sent off in the third-place play-off at the Copa America in the summer.  

Gnabry was the first to Joshua Kimmich’s cross and managed to finish tightly into the corner

 Rodrigo De Paul gave chase but could only watch as Gnabry’s effort bounced over the line

The goal gave Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni cause for concern early in the first half

So, this was a chance for both sides to show their workings and give us a better…