Townsend has a go, cutting in from the left before firing a right-footed effort from 25 yards, but it slices well wide of Weidenfeller's goal.
90' +2
Germany are just seeing this one out, now, keeping itdeep in England's have before Bender is forced backwards. Gibbs eventually wins it back and England come forward again, but Mertesacker stands firm to tackle Barkley.
90'
Henderson shows real determinatino to charge in and win the ball in midfield, but looks lost as he goes forward and eventually loses out to two Germany defenders as the board goes up saying we'll have four minutes' added time.
89'
Good chance for Germany as Draxler finds Sam, who cuts in from the right and has space to shoot, but his 20-yard effort slices well wide of Hart's post.
88'
It's all rather lacklustre, now. Plenty of fans are leaving and both sides look to be done for the evening. Another goal would be a bit of a shock, to be honest.
87'
It's a quick corner but doesn't pay off for the hosts as Germany force it out for a throw on the left-hand side. It's given away and Schurrle is nearly through at the other end but the flag goes up for offside.
86'
Good work from Walker as he tracks back to stop Schurrle's darting run. Time is running out for England, though, and Sturridge wins a corner after good defending by Jansen.
84'
It's very quiet inside Wembley now. A select few are trying to stir the England side to a comeback but Germany are keeping it well. Schurrle's effort from the edge of the box loops up off Smalling and Gotze challenges Hart for the rebound, but illegally according to the referee and England have a free kick.
82'
A. Schürrle enters the game and replaces M. Reus.
Under 10 minutes to go at Wembley, then. England have rarely looked like scoring, really, and look set for back-to-back friendly defeats. Meanwhile, Chelsea's Andre Schurrle is on for Reus.
81'
GOOD EFFORT FROM SMALLING!! The inital corner is cleared but England keep it and Wilshere plays wide to Barkley, who fires in a dangerous cross which Smalling meets at the far post, but it flicks off a defender and goes over the bar.
Minute
Description
80'
Two of the subs link up well as Lambert wins a header and flicks it down to Barkley, who pushes into the left-hand side from the box, showing good skill before winning a corner off Bender.
79'
Some good pressure from Barkley and Townsend sees Jansen play the ball straight out of play. England come forward on the right flank and Walker does well to win a corner for the hosts after a driving run, but the ball is headed straight out from the set piece.
77'
Agonising for England! Barkley sets Townsend away and the Tottenham man drives forward before flicking a pass right into the path of Sturridge, but there's not enough power on it and Hummels gets back to intercept.
76'
R. Lambert enters the game and replaces A. Lallana.
Gibbs is penalised for a foul in midfield, and Hodgson takes the chance to introduce Rickie Lambert, who replaces his Southampton team-mate Lallana.
74'
Lallana's deep corner is aimed for Sturridge but is easily cleared and Germany break forward. Bender pushes down the right before squaring to Gotze, whose first-time effort is blocked on the edge of the box by Jagielka.
73'
Weidenfeller shanks a clearance and Hummels has to deal with it at left-back, but concedes a throw and England have the ball. The hosts go back before it's worked out to Gibbs on the left, and he fires in a good cross but it's headed out for a corner.
71'
R. Barkley enters the game and replaces W. Rooney.
Ross Barkley is on for Rooney. The Manchester United man has had a pretty quiet evening by his standards.
70'
Walker tries to inject some lift into England, haring down the right before flicking back to Townsend, who wins a throw. The ball is worked into Sturridge, who produces a good turn but Jansen forces the ball behind for a corner.
68'
OVER FROM SAM!! That's a really nice move from Germany as Sam plays it inside before Gotze flicks a wonderful ball over the England defence, and Sam latches on to it and tries to lift it over Hart, but also puts it over the bar.
67'
J. Draxler enters the game and replaces H. Westermann.
Schalke danger man Julian Draxler is the latest to come on for Germany. We're halfway through the second half; can England get back in this?
65'
B. Höwedes enters the game and replaces M. Hummels.
GREAT SAVE BY HART!! Jack Wilshere enters the fray for England amid plenty of cheers as Cleverley goes off, before Gotze drills a shot low across goal and Hart saves brilliantly with an outstretched arm.
64'
J. Wilshere enters the game and replaces T. Cleverley.
Oh dear, nearly a disaster for Hart as he flies out of the goal and almost takes out Smalling in the process. England get the ball away before Gotze can charge in to steal it, though.
63'
Lallana gets into the box and turns well, but his cross is too far. Gibbs picks it up, though, and plays back to Rooney, who plays back into the area. Sturridge tries to shoot but it hits a defender and Germany clear.
61'
Lallana cuts out a Bender pass, before the German fouls the Southampton midfielder. He's really worked hard tonight and hasn't disappointed on his call-up to the England squad.
59'
England are still looking positive, keeping the ball well but looking for a pass over the top as Germany flood the midfield. There are surely more goals in this one.
57'
OFF THE POST!! England so, so close to an equaliser as Jagielka fires an excellent ball forward for Townsend, who cuts inside before unleashing a dangerous 30-yard left-footed strike which clips the upright and goes behind.
56'
S. Sam enters the game and replaces M. Kruse.
J. Henderson enters the game and replaces S. Gerrard.
Gerrard leaves the pitch to be replaced by Liverpool team-mate Jordan Henderson, while Kruse comes off for Sidney Sam for Germany. We'll be seeing a lot of substitutions from now on.
55'
This has been a much more open half so far. England should have many more chances going forward but also have to be mindful in defence. Gibbs is just that as he snuffs out a pass intent for Gotze, and puts it behind for a corner which Mertesacker heads well over.
54'
Cleverley looks for Townsend on the far side, but his ball hits one of the Bender twins and goes through to Weidenfeller.
53'
K. Gibbs enters the game and replaces A. Cole.
Kieran Gibbs is on for Cole as Gerrard takes the corner, but Germany head it away without any sort of difficulty.
52'
Lovely skill from Lallana! Cole drives down the left flank and plays it inside to the Southampton man, who produces a lovely turn but can't quite get the ball under control and Jansen forces it behind for a corner.
51'
What a breathless start to the half this is! Kruse is away and moves into the area, but passes it straight to Jagielka. England break quickly and Lallana picks it up on the edge of the box. He charges to the by-line and floats a ball to the far post looking for Rooney, but Mertesacker flicks a header away.
50'
Chance at the other end as England break away. It's floated over for Sturridge who looks to play it back across goal for Rooney, but it's just headed away.
49'
GOOD SAVE BY HART!! Gotze shows good skill to push forward and the ball finds its way into the bath of Reus, whose shot across goal is parried away by Hart.
48'
Well, that's one to forget for Kruse. He collects the ball in midfield and pushes to the edge of the box. There are plenty of options available but he elects to shoot, and it flies well over the bar without ever looking like troubling Hart.
47'
Townsend flies down the right-hand side and Jansen is called into action straight away, coming across well and forcing the ball behind for a corner. It's cleared but England come back and Sturridge is in behind, but his floated cross is headed away.
46'
M. Jansen enters the game and replaces M. Schmelzer.
M. Hummels enters the game and replaces J. Boateng.
Germany get the second half underway. Marcell Jansen and Mats Hummels are on for Boateng and Schmelzer, but there are no changes for England.
44'
INCHES AWAY FROM GERRARD!! That's a wonderful effort from the captain as he picks the ball up in midfield and unleashes a vicious effort from 30 yards, and it dips and swerves just over the bar. Fantastic strike, though.
43'
Nice from Cole as he backheels into the path of Lallana. England charge forward and Lallana gets into the box on the right-hand side but is muscled off the ball by Boateng. There are a few claims for a penalty but the referee takes no notice.
41'
That's a real shame for Hart, who had just made a brilliant save to keep things level. England have played reasonably well so far, though, so will still feel like they can win this game.
40'
Chants of "football's coming home" ring out from the away end after that sucker punch from Germany, who haven't really been at their best tonight.
39'
P. Mertesacker has scored a goal for Germany! Assist by T. Kroos.
MERTESACKER SCORES!! Hart can't save it this time as Germany have another corner. Westermann's initial header is blocked but the ball comes back in and Mertesacker rises highest to head it across goal this time, and it goes into the far corner of the net.
38'
FANTASTIC SAVE BY HART!! Lars Bender wins a corner for Germany and it's whipped in. Mertesacker powers a header towards goal but Hart saves superbly low to his left.
37'
Walker gives it away in midfield and Bender fires it wide to Gotze, who charges down the right and looks to move inside, but Gerrard is there to disposses him and win back possession for England.
35'
Lallana does well to find Townsend on the right, but the winger is closed down quickly by Germany and can only win a throw for the hosts.
34'
Townsend charges forward and Boateng does well to slide in, but Cleverley steps in to play a delightful ball out to Sturridge. The forward pushes down the right-hand side before eventually driving into the box, but Boateng is there again to steal the ball.
32'
We haven't seen a shot on target yet, and we've had 32 minutes. Quite a cagey one, this.
31'
The initial set piece is cleared but England quickly win another, and Gerrard whips it in deep. Jagielka wins the ball at the far post but can only head behind for a goal kick.
30'
That's nice from Ashley Cole. He floats a beautiful ball towards the far post looking for Rooney, who is ready to fire in a volley but Boateng flicks it out of the England man's path.
29'
England are keeping it well, here. Walker gets forward and plays inside to Townsend, but there's a wall of green and Hodgson's men are finding it hard to get through.
28'
It's not exactly been the most entertaining of games, so far, but there are signs this could explode into life. Kroos and Reus are a constant threat for Germany and Townsend is continuing to look dangerous for the hosts.
26'
That's unlucky for Rooney, who accidently heads the ball on to his own arm when looking for Sturridge, but the whistle goes and Germany have it back.
25'
Chance for Germany as Reus spreads wide to Westermann, who whips in a dangerous cross which Walker slices away, but the visitors still have possession.
24'
Oh dear. Germany have a throw deep down the right flank, and Westermann looks for Reus, but the midfielder inexplicably volleys it straight out of play. Not the best touch, there.
23'
Lallana is penalised for a foul in midfield and Kroos tries to take it quickly, but the referee isn't happy and they have to go back and take it again. Here's a chance for the visitors to string some meaningful possession together.
22'
Germany are keeping the midfield very tight at the moment. It's not the expansive football we've been used to seeing from them in recent times. This is clever from Low, though, as he clearly wants to make sure his side can fit various styles and face different opponents.
20'
First effort from England as Cleverley does well to steal the ball on the left, and fires in a cross for Rooney, but he has to stretch back for the header and it loops over and on to the top of the net.
19'
Good move by England as Sturridge works some space in midfield. He finds Lallana who goes back to Rooney, and he spreads it wide to Walker. The full-back tries to play a low ball into the box but the German defence holds firm and hacks it away.
17'
Hart hammers the ball forward but Mertesacker has no problem in beating Sturridge for the header. England have it back, though, and Walker finds Rooney on the right flank, but the early cross is poor and goes behind for a goal kick.
16'
Cleverley is penalised for a lunge in midfield, but England win the ball back and Townsend forces a throw off Lars Bender.
15'
England are keeping the ball well and are looking sharp. Rooney and Sturridge are dropping deep, though, with Germany looking very solid so far. It's been a very even opening 15 minutes.
13'
Just wide!! Germany have a free kick and Reus sends in a dangerous inswinger. Westermann goes up for it and does well to win it in the air, but heads wide across goal.
12'
Townsend should shoot! Smalling launches it forward and Sturridge knocks the ball down for Rooney. The Manchester United man flicks it inside to Townsend, who has a chance to shoot from outside the box but looks for Lallana and his pass is cut out.
10'
Sturridge tries to shoot from the right-hand side of the box, but unfortunately Schmelzer isn't invisible so the ball ricochets of the defender and Germany clear.
9'
Schmelzer is playing in a very advanced role for a left-back. Clearly Low has spotted a weakness down England's right-hand side. That could play well for Townsend going forward, though.
8'
Westermann produces a heavy touch and Cole darts in to steal the ball before winning a throw for England. Germany win it back and the ball is lofted towards the edge of the box for Kruse, but Smallling comfortably heads back to Hart.
7'
Germany have just slowed thigns down after a bright couple of minutes by England, and are keeping the ball well. Kroos drops deep to receive the ball from Westermann as they look to play the ball through the hosts.
6'
There may be the odd mix-up in commentary this evening, by the way. Sven and Lars Bender are twins and both play in midfield...
5'
Kroos spreads the ball wide looking for Sven Bender, but Smalling gets across well to slide in and put the ball out of play.
3'
Cole is fouled on the flank and England have a free kick. It's launched forward but given away, although Lallana does well to put Westermann under pressure and win a throw.
2'
Cleverley is put under serious pressure in midfield by three Germany players and does well to play back to Walker. Townsend then gets a cross in moments later but Mertesacker heads away.
1'
England kick things off, and the game is underway at Wembley.
Hello and welcome to LIVE coverage as England take on Germany in a mouthwatering international friendly. This is the penultimate match for the hosts before the World Cup so a big performance is needed at Wembley, especially after they slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Chile on Friday.
The teams have been announced so let's get straight to it and bring you the line-ups, starting with the hosts...
Joe Hart comes back into goal for England, then, as Roy Hodgson makes nine changes from the 2-0 defeat to Chile. Only Wayne Rooney and Adam Lallana survive, while Daniel Sturridge returns after missing Friday's loss through injury.
It's a much-changed line-up for Germany, too, as Joachim Low gives a first start to Roman Weidenfeller in goal, while the Bender brothers Sven and Lars also get the nod, and Borussia Moenchengladbach striker Max Kruse starts up front.
The most recent fixture between these two is a painful memory for England fans, as Germany inflicted an embarrassing 4-1 defeat on the Three Lions in the last 16 of the World Cup in 2010.
However, England did beat the Germans in their last friendly when Matthew Upson and John Terry scored in Berlin to earn a 2-1 win for then-manager Fabio Capello back in 2008.
Joachim Low's men have been in imperious form, strolling through the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign without tasting defeat, and scoring 36 goals in 10 games; more than anyone else in Europe.
This may look like a nothing friendly, but there's still a wealth of talent out there tonight, and plenty of players who want to make an impression at the highest level. A lot of these guys are playing for their seat on the plane to Brazil next summer.
Another Opta stat: In their last four Wembley clashes with Germany, England have lost three and scored just twice. The omens aren't good for Hodgson tonight...
There's a lot of pressure on Joe Hart tonight. Out of favour at Manchester City after a raft of errors, the England goalkeeper has plenty to prove. But surely he's still the best option for the hosts?
The players march out of the tunnel on to the hallowed turf of Wembley; it's a fairly muted atmosphere inside the stadium, as is very often the case for friendlies, but hopefully the players will stir up some noise once we're underway.
The anthems are belted out and we're ready to go. Who will earn the bragging rights tonight?
That's HALF TIME at Wembley as there's no added time, and England go in behind at the break thanks to Per Mertesacker's powerful header, moments after the defender had been denied by Joe Hart.
That's disappointing for England, who looked to be controlling the game with the majority of possession, and Germany had hardly ventured into the final third of the pitch.
The big thing for the hosts, then, is that although they played reasonably well they failed to create any real clear-cut chances and conceded what Hodgson will see as a soft goal.
Joachim Low will be reasonably satisfied, however. Germany have kept England at bay without trying too hard and scored a goal when they got the chance, which is the sign of a top-quality team.
The half-time replays don't make good viewing for England. Germany had three free headers in quick succession and, unsurprisingly, were made to pay for it.
Just a few moments until things resume at Wembley, then. What changes will Hodgson make to get his side back into the game?
It's FULL TIME at Wembley and Germany have seen out a 1-0 win against England thanks to Per Mertesacker's first-half header. It was a rather drab affair in all honesty, but that's two defeats in a row for Roy Hodgson's men.
There were positives in the first half for England as they enjoyed the lion's share of possession, but they didn't create any chances and couldn't test Weidenfeller.
At the other end, they fell to what will be seen as a soft goal, and it's cost them dearly. Plenty for the England boss to mull over.
Low, meanwhile, will be delighted as his second-string XI has continued Germany's impressive run at Wembley. With their top players back in the side, they are going to be a real force.
Well, that's all from our LIVE coverage of the game at Wembley this evening. Many thanks for joining us, and we'll see you soon for more action!
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