Argentina win Germany rematch

Argentina and Angel di Maria rained on Germany's homecoming parade, as the defeated World Cup finalists smashed their counterparts 4-2 in Dusseldorf.

The 45,000-strong crowd paid tribute Wednesday to the retiring trio of Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker and Miroslav Klose, as Germany lined up for their first match since winning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Joachim Löw's selection boasted just four starters from the final in Rio de Janeiro with Marco Reus and Mario Gomez returning from injuries that prevented them competing in Brazil.

Gerard Martino's first selection as Argentine head coach saw the omission of Lionel Messi, but retained seven starters from the final.

Even without the widely acclaimed best player in the world, Manchester United's expensive new arrival Di Maria, smashing the British transfer record at 75 million euros, stepped up to the mark.

Made in Manchester

In the 20th minute, Di Maria clipped a delicious, outside-of-the-foot cross in to a dangerous area where Sergio Aguero, of Manchester City, tucked in the opener.

Gomez has made quick strides to fitness in pre-season with Fiorentina in Italy, but his lack of sharpness showed in the three chances he passed up in the first 35 minutes. Germany would be left to pay for those missed chances.

Five minutes before the break, Di Maria accelerated past Erik Durm with ease to carve out the second goal, crossing for Tottenham's Erik Lamela who caressed the ball with the instep into the top corner.

Argentina racked up a third less than 120 seconds into the second half. Di Maria delivered a deep cross from a free-kick for Argentina defender Federico Fernandez to head past Roman Weidenfeller at the back-post.

And then came the fourth for the World Cup runner-up. Di Maria strode down the right-wing with great balance and poise before clipping the ball delicately over Weidenfeller.

Some late consolation

To complete the three goal in four minute salvo, Andre Schürrle pulled one back from a corner-kick, before Bayern Munich's Mario Götze added another goal against the South Americans in the 77th minute.

Germany's competitive action begins on Sunday evening when they welcome Scotland to Dortmund in the first qualifying match for a place at Euro 2016.

Follow all of the action, as it happened, through our live ticker of Germany's defeat to Argentina here.