Brazil loses to Germany for 1st time in 18 years

LONDON (AP) ― Germany ended an 18-year wait for a win over Brazil and Italy beat Spain in a meeting of the last two world champions in friendlies on Wednesday.

Bastian Schweinsteiger opened the scoring from the penalty spot in Germany’s 3-2 victory over Brazil in Stuttgart before Mario Goetze and Andre Schuerrle also netted for the hosts.

Robinho and Neymar scored for five-time World Cup winner Brazil, which hosts the 2014 tournament.

Spain, which won the 2010 World Cup, saw an under-strength side fall 2-1 in Italy.

While Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso canceled out Riccardo Montolivo’s opener, Alberto Aquilani scored a late winner for Italy.

But another matchup of European soccer powers ― England and the Netherlands ― had to be called off in London due to police resources being stretched by several days of disorder in the British capital.

The most-watched game of the night was in Germany with the friendly televised in 190 countries.

And the Germans saw another glimpse of the importance of the 19-year-old Goetze to their future title hopes.

Goetze was just 1 when the three-time world champions last beat Brazil 2-1 in November 1993 and on Wednesday he upstaged the visitors’ own 19-year-old star ― Neymar.

Goetze scored in the 67th ― six minutes after Schweinsteiger’s spot kick ― when he rounded goalkeeper Julio Cesar before slotting the ball into the net from a tight angle.

Robinho pulled one back from the spot for Brazil in the 71st, after Germany captain Philipp Lahm’s poor challenge on Dani Alves.

But Andre Schuerrle responded for Germany inside 10 minutes when Schweinsteiger displayed great perseverance to win the ball from Andre Santos.

Brazil’s consolation came from Neymar, who unleashed a fine effort from outside the penalty area into the net.

In Bari, the Italians demonstrated how they are rebuilding after an embarrassing first-round exit from last year’s World Cup.

The hosts took the lead in the 11th when Riccardo Montolivo lifted a shot over charging goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

There was another setback for Spain three minutes later when striker Fernando Torres came off with a slight concussion. But the Chelsea striker’s replacement, Fernando Llorente, won a penalty after being fouled by Gioergio Chiellini before halftime and Alonso leveled for Spain for the spot.

Aquilani, though, produced Italy’s winner in the 84th. The Liverpool midfielder’s shot from the edge of the area was deflected in by Spain defender Raul Albiol.

“We’re on the right road,” Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said. “This is a young team and when we perform like this against great teams our self-confidence improves.”

Italy has a five-point lead in its qualifying group for the 2012 European Championship. Northern Ireland climbed to third in Group C two points behind Slovenia after beating the Faeroe Islands 4-0 in the night’s only qualifier.

Like Italy, France is also showing signs of a resurgence after a dismal World Cup and it extended its unbeaten run to 11 matches by drawing 1-1 with Chile.

In Montpellier, Loic Remy gave France the lead with a powerful diving header in the 20th after being set up by Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.