Germany vs. England: Score and Reaction for 2017 Friendly

Lukas Podolski waved the perfect goodbye to his time in Germany's national team after leading Die Mannschaft to a 1-0 friendly victory over England on Wednesday, scoring the only goal in Dortmund.

The Three Lions put their opposition to the sword in the first half but were ultimately made to pay for their profligacy when Germany made a charge in the second half, and Podolski delivered in his last international outing.

England manager Gareth Southgate experimented with a three-man defence at at Signal Iduna Park, where captain Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling and debutant Michael Keane were flanked by Kyle Walker and Ryan Bertrand. Jake Livermore, meanwhile, made his first England appearance since debuting in August 2012.

Timo Werner made his international debut while Podolski captained Germany as he made his departure from international football in his 130th appearance for his country, a record that puts him in esteemed company, per OptaFranz:

England's Jamie Vardy was the first to have a real sniff at goal and might have had a penalty early on had it not looked so much like he jumped into goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen upon touching the ball out of reach.

That was just the beginning of a very promising start from the visiting side, who were having some success in their blue away kit and firmly tested the Germans with a series of close shaves inside the hosts' half.

There was a chorus of hopeful cheers any time tribute hero Podolski found some metres of space outside the England box, but Joachim Low's Germany were quite restricted in their forward movements by and large.

Adam Lallana conjured up England's next big chance when a loose pass from Joshua Kimmich was intercepted by the Liverpool man. He then raced free down the left toward Ter Stegen's goal before thudding his deft shot against the far post, causing Empire of the Kop to talk up the Red's talents:

Manchester City winger Leroy Sane was causing trouble for the home side in attack, but Germany were admittedly muted in comparison with their usual sway, and Signal Iduna Park was slowly hushed as a result.

Dele Alli was the next Lion to have a gaping chance pass him by when he could only find Ter Stegen from Vardy's lay-off minutes before the break, and BBC 5 Live Sport put the size of the opportunity into words:

Germany returned for the second period with a renewed vigour and handed Hart a reprieve when his poor clearance from a corner was sizzled just wide by Julian Brandt, lurking on the edge of his 18-yard box.

Still, the Three Lions remained the dominant side as Vardy's pace continued to trouble Mats Hummels and Antonio Rudiger, leading Germany to add some of their own as Brandt came off for Andre Schurrle on the hour mark.

Southgate soon responded with a change of his own and gave Southampton's Nathan Redmond his England debut as a substitute for Lallana, who wouldn't have the opportunity to build on his earlier near miss.

The game was turned on its head minutes later, and who else on a night like this than the departing Podolski would cause Hart's net to bulge from long range with a timely opener?

The former Arsenal man netted his 49th international goal, steadying his left boot at the edge of the area before unleashing a drive into the top right that pulled him level with an England legend, per ESPN's Richard Jolly:

Southgate's response to the goal was swift as Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard came on for Vardy and Alli, presumably in the hope that their Manchester United connection would inspire some resurgence.

England's deficit almost doubled before long, though, and it was only a smart, low save to his left from Hart that saw Sane denied after shaking off the challenge of Keane.

Podolski's opener gave Germany the tools they needed to take some sting out of the game and let the away outfit chase the game, a tactic that suited them down to the ground as they passed their way about the pitch for the remainder of the match.

James Ward-Prowse, a former England under-21 captain under Southgate, came on for his senior England debut with minutes remaining. Podolski also ended his Germany reign on a high, coming off for Bayern Munich-bound Hoffenheim captain Sebastian Rudy:

Germany's win will serve as fine preparation for their trip to Azerbaijan in a 2018 World Cup qualifier on Sunday evening, looking to increase an already impressive five-point lead at the top of their group.

England are also back in qualifying action on Sunday and play host to Lithuania in the hopes they can maintain an undefeated record in Group F, where they lead Slovenia by two points.

Post-Match Reaction

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Despite the result, there were positives for Southgate to take from Wednesday's loss, including the promotion of a three-man defence, the good displays of Alli and Lallana, not to mention the fervour in attack his men showed in the first half.

Speaking in his post-match interview with ITV's Gabriel Clarke, however, the Three Lions chief was forced to concede it was a lack of shot conversion that ultimately let his side down:

There was a share of the spotlight in the aftermath for retiring hero Podolski as well, of course, and he left a departing reference to his cannon-like left foot in fitting style:

Germany may take comfort in knowing the future looks somewhat safe in the future of their youngsters based on Wednesday's win, but it's Southgate who appears intent on creating a new dynasty for England.