Lukas Podolski denies Australia famous win over Germany

Nothing could separate the world and Asian champions at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion as Germany and Australia played out a 2-2 friendly draw.

The Socceroos were playing their first game since coming out on top in the Asian Cup on home soil back in January and they will be further buoyed by their latest result.

It was Germany who opened the scoring through Marco Reus after he slotted home a Sami Khedira pass - and Joachim Loew’s men looked for a period like they might run away with the match.

Australia, however, weathered the storm and despite the home team dominating much of the play, they were soon level before the break through James Troisi, who headed home Matt McKay’s dangerous cross into the box.

A famous win looked like it might be on for the Socceroos as Mile Jedinak edged them in front with a free-kick after the restart, but substitute Lukas Podolski ensured Germany’s late pressure was not in vain as he converted Andre Schuerrle’s delivery from close range to level proceedings.

16 - DISALLOWED! Germany have the ball in the back of the net through Reus, but the goal is disallowed as he was standing in an offside position.

17 - GOAL! Germany 1-0 Australia. That one counts for Germany and it is Reus involved again as he slots home following a great driving run and pass from Khedira.

23 - LET-OFF! Jedinak is a very lucky boy as his poor backpass nearly hands Germany a second... Reus intercepts with ease but after bearing down on goal, he can only hit the side netting. Should really have scored.

40 - GOAL! Germany 1-1 Australia. Australia level proceedings and what a goal it is as Burns finds Troisi with a great ball in from the left, with the attacker heading home from close range.

50 - GOAL! Germany 1-2 Australia. Australia have turned things around as Jedinak bends a free-kick over the wall and into the top corner. Zieler gets a hand to it but is unable to keep the ball out. Should have done better.

54 - CHANCE WASTED! What a chance for Australia to score another! Troisi bursts forward into the German box after gliding past the opposition defence, but he fails to pick out the bottom corner and his effort rolls wide.

81 - GOAL! Germany 2-2 Australia. Germany are level and it is Podolski who scores for his nation after coming off the bench... Schuerrle, another sub, does well to pick out the Inter Milan man, who converts from close range.

90+1 - AT THE DEATH! Podolski involved again and he has a chance to win it late on as he drives forward into the Australia box, but his stabbed effort rolls just wide of the post.

Holger Badstuber played his first game for Germany since 2012 today.

Australia ran out 2-1 winners in a friendly in Monchengladbach the last time these two sides met.

What’s wrong with Germany? Despite winning the World Cup last summer and still being ranked the world’s best national team by FIFA, life has been anything but straight forward for Germany since their triumph in Brazil. A struggle past Scotland in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier was followed by defeat to Poland and a draw against Republic of Ireland, with a 4-0 victory over Gibraltar the only game that went as planned. Joachim Loew’s men are currently three points off Group D leaders Poland as a result, and level with Scotland and Republic of Ireland – does this stuttering performance suggest another frustrating evening lies ahead when they face Georgia on Sunday?

Lukas Podolski (Germany): He only made a cameo appearance for Germany, but he certainly was effective when he came on. He spared his nation’s blushes with the equaliser, while he even could have won it late on for the world champions. He will take confidence from this following his Inter Milan struggles.

Germany: Zieler 6, Mustafi 6, Howedes 6, Badstuber 5, Khedira 7, Bellarabi 6, Gundogan 6, Ozil 7, Hector 5, Gotze 8, Reus 8. Subs: Rudy 6, Schurrle 7, Kramer 6, Podolski 8, Kruse 5.

Australia: Ryan 7, Franjic 7, Davidson 6, Devere 5, Wilkinson 6, Jedinak 7, McKay 7, Milligan 6, Burns 7, Troisi 8, Leckie 8. Subs: Oar 7, Mooy 6, Juric 6, Bozanic 6, Wright 6.