Kessler at the double to rescue Germany in France

Nadine Kessler's double in the last 24 minutes earned Germany a 3-3 friendly draw against fellow UEFA Women's EURO 2013 finalists France in Strasbourg.

In a repeat of a fixture which ended 1-1 in November, Bianca Schmidt broke the deadlock for Germany on 12 minutes when she applied the crucial touch to Anja Mittag's cutback. Louisa Nécib equalised by finishing delicately over Almuth Schult from the edge of the penalty area, before Marie-Laure Delie's challenge on Schult helped provide the second for Nécib ten minutes later.

Montpellier Hérault SC striker Delie later doubled France's advantage as she latched onto Saskia Bartusiak's back pass. However, VfL Wolfsburg's Kessler made her country's pressure tell towards the end. First she struck from a corner midway through the second half, then she capitalised on Dzsenifer Marozsán's free-kick to round off the scoring.

The comeback prompted positive words from Germany coach Silvia Neid: "Two of the goals we conceded, we virtually gave away. Then it is always difficult against a strong team like France. But in the second half we showed great spirit, which was terrific."

"We still put in a good performance," said France defender Laura Georges. "Germany are a good team. Few would have tipped us to win or draw tonight. It's good but there is plenty left to do."

Holders Germany, who will face Iceland, the Netherlands and Norway in Group B at this summer's finals in Sweden, now turn their attentions to next month's Algarve Cup. France, alongside England, Russia and Spain in Group C, host Brazil on 9 March.