Lukas Podolski was the only goal scorer as Germany beat England in his testimonial an international friendly in Dortmund on Wednesday night.
Withe 20 minutes remaining, the former Arsenal striker – playing the final game of his international career – smashed the ball into the top corner of Joe Hart’s goal.
This is how to bow out of international football…@Podolski10 on his final appearance for Germany @DFB_Team_EN 🔥👏 pic.twitter.com/cCQPjHBhiy
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 22, 2017
After it, Hart was pictured speaking to Podolski on the edge of his box.
Nice bit of sportsmanship as Joe Hart congratulates Lukas Podolski on his wonder-goal. pic.twitter.com/BIzs5ydcp3
— Archie Rhind-Tutt (@archiert1) March 22, 2017
Speaking after the game, the Galatasaray striker revealed the England number one had complimented him on his finish, saying: “It was a f**king brilliant shot – amazing!”
Podolski, part of his country’s World Cup-winning squad of 2014, reflected on his international career after the full-time whistle.
“We win 1-0 and I score the goal. I know I have a left foot that was probably gifted to me by God, or someone up there, and I can always rely on it. I am proud of these last 13 years.”
On Thursday, he thanked the supporters that had turned out in Dortmund for his farewell performance.
‘Football is nothing without fans and last night was all about our fans,’ he tweeted.
Football is nothing without fans and last night was all about our fans 😍🇩🇪😁💥⚽ #thanks #fans #Poldi #DieMannschaft pic.twitter.com/trsRK2sRT1
— Lukas-Podolski.com (@Podolski10) March 23, 2017
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