Podolski inspires Germany to 6-1 win over Armenia

Germany thumped Armenia 6-1 in their World Cup warm-up game with all the goals coming in the second half.

Lukas Podolski came off the bench to make the difference and set up Andre Schurrle’s goal which was cancelled out by Henrikh Mkhitaryan's penalty.

The Arsenal man made it 2-1 before creating goals for fellow substitutes Miroslav Klose and Mario Goetze.

Benedikt Howedes scored with a header and Bayern Munich’s Goetze sealed the rout late on.

The Germans dominated possession but could have found themselves behind early on when Gevorg Ghazaryan could not direct his flick towards goal.

It was one-way traffic after that with Marco Reus’s low shot hooked off the line before the Dortmund playmaker limped off after appearing to twist his ankle.

Podolski sparked Germany into action after the break by setting up Schurrle’s goal before Mkhitaryan equalised from the penalty spot.

It was Podolski who helped the home side regain the lead before defender Howedes made it 3-1 with a finish from close range.

Podolski crossed for Klose to make it 4-1 and make him Germany’s record goal scorer.

Goetze scored a brace in the final nine minutes to make it a flattering scoreline, but it will give the Germans a confidence boost ahead of their World Cup opener against Portugal.

2’ – CHANCE! Ghazaryan with a great chance near the penalty spot but his flick fails to come off after some poor defending from the home side.

8’ – SCHURRLE OPPORTUNITY! Schurrle should have scored with a free header from eight yards from Lahm's cross but it goes wide.

12’ - REUS CHANCE! Cleared off the line! Reus squeezed his shot under the keeper but Hovsepyan hooks it clear.

22’ – KROOS EFFORT! Kroos unleashes an effort from distance that flies over, decent effort.

30’ – BOATENG HEADER! Schurrle is tackled near the byline and wins a corner. Reus' delivery is headed wide by Boateng at the near post.

31’ – GOOD SAVE! Great save by Berezovsky to block Reus's shot with his legs when the Dortmund man was through on goal.

35’ – CHANCE! Boateng with an ambitious effort from a tight angle which is saved by the keeper at his near post.

42’ – INJURY! Reus limps off after injuring his ankle and is replaced by Podolski.

51’ – GOAL! Schurrle turns in Podolski's cross from close range to make it 1-0.

57’ – CHANCE! Khedira fires in a low shot from outside the area that the keeper saves.

62’ -CHANCE! Boateng with a great half volley that dips just over.

63’ – WASTED OPPORTUNITY! Manucharyan with a great chance but he curls his side-footed effort over the bar.

64’ – WOODWORK! Great run into the box by Ozil but his shot comes back off the post, so unlucky.

67’ – PENALTY! Grosskreutz has conceded a penalty by bringing down Ghazaryan!

68’ –GOAL! Mkhitaryan takes the spot kick and beats his Dortmund team-mate to make it 1-1!

70 ‘ GOAL! Podolski puts Germany ahead again with a neat finish across the goalkeeper.

72’ - GOAL! Howedes' header is parried by the goalkeeper but he knocks in the rebound on the line to make it 3-1!

75’ – GOAL! This time Klose heads in Podolski's cross from six yards out to make it 4-1!

81 - GOAL! Podolski plays in Goetze who slides in to make it 5-1.

86’ – GOOD SAVE! Ghazarayan's curling effort is tipped over by the keeper, good effort.

88’ - GOAL! Goetze powers the ball in after the keeper is caught in no-mans land, and that is number six.

Germany have suffered one defeat in their last 21 games.

Klose scored his 69th goal for Germany, making him their highest ever goalscorer. 

Armenia are 38 in the FIFA world rankings, the highest position in their history.

Lukas Podolski (Germany): Similar to his impact at Arsenal this season, Podolski was unplayable when he came on. He scored a well-taken goal and set up three and combined well throughout with Mario Goetze, Mesut Ozil and Miroslav Klose. He staked a huge claim to start Germany's World Cup opener with his electric display.

Germany: Weidenfeller 5, Boateng 6, Mertesacker 5, Hummels 5, Höwedes 6, Lahm 6, Khedira 6, Reus 5, Kroos 5, Schürrle 6, Müller 6. Subs: Podolski 9,Klose 7, Grosskreutz 5, Ozil 7, Goetze 8, Schweinsteiger 5.

Armenia: Berezovsky 5, Haroyan 5, Arzumanyan 5, Mkoyan 4, Airapetian 4, Edigaryan 4, Hovsepyan 6, Mkhitaryan 6, Ghazaryan 7, Manucharyan 7, Movsisyan 5. Subs: Tumasyan 5, Sarkisov 5.