Germany cruise past Hungary

Hungary 0-3 Germany
Germany emerged victorious in their penultimate friendly match, less than three weeks before kicking off their FIFA World Cup Group D campaign in South Africa against Australia, thanks to goals from Lukas Podolski, Mario Gómez and Cacau.

Coach Joachim Löw rested Bastian Schweinsteiger and new captain Philipp Lahm following their involvement in the UEFA Champions League final with FC Bayern München, but it was a former Bayern player who got them off to a perfect start.

The match was only four minutes old when defender Per Mertesacker was brought down by Sándor Torghelle in the box and Podolski stepped up to convert the resulting penalty. Germany had several further opportunities in the first half but Hungary goalkeeper Gábor Király made a number of great saves to minimise damage to the hosts.

After a clutch of changes on both sides in the second half, Germany went 2-0 up on 69 minutes when Gómez beat Király after being teed up by the lively Marko Marin. Three minutes later, striker Cacau was sent through by Mertesacker to wrap up the victory.

Germany's new No1 Manuel Neuer had a quiet evening at the Ferenc Puskás Stadium but Löw's outfit may be tested more sternly in their final friendly on 3 June against Bosnia and Herzegovina before they meet Australia in their World Cup opener on 13 June.