Germany beat Finland 2-0 in an international friendly staged to mark Bastian Schweinsteiger's international farewell.
The Manchester United midfielder was unable to find the net on his 121st and final cap for Die Mannschaft, but the hosts did at least pick a comfortable win.
Max Meyer swept home his first goal for the national side 55 minutes in, before Mesut Ozil stuck the ball into the far corner via the help of a deflection to round off the scoring.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the international friendly meeting between Germany and Finland at Borussia-Park. The reigning world champions start a new chapter this evening, as they prepare for the first match since exiting Euro 2016 at the quarter-final stage - and their last outing before starting qualifying for the next World Cup in Russia.
This clash at Borussia-Park will also mark Bastian Schweinsteiger's final outing as a Germany international. The experienced midfielder will earn his 121st and final cap this evening, ending a 12-year career with Die Mannschaft; one that has seen him score 12 goals and help his nation to the biggest trophy of them all in Brazil two years ago - the World Cup.
Plenty of questions still remain over Schweinsteiger's club future, of course, with the latest reports suggesting that he rejected a last-minute approach to join Sporting Lisbon on loan and will therefore spend the next four months at least in Manchester United's reserves. Many current and former pros have had their say on the matter - "Mourinho should be locked up", according to one - but the bottom line is this is a bleak time for the former Bayern Munich star.
TEAM NEWS!
GERMANY XI: Ter Stegen, Mustafi, Hector, Schweinsteiger, Sule, Meyer, Gotze, Bellarabi, Kimmich, Volland, Brandt
FINLAND XI: Hradecky, Raitala, Lam, Arajuuri, Moisander, Uronen, Ring, Halsti, Lod, Hamalainen, Pohjanpalo
A very young and exciting Germany side named by boss Joachim Low this evening, then, with the exception of Schweinsteiger who will get the chance to wave farewell to supporters. The 32-year-old, who has competed in seven major tournaments with his national side, announced his retirement shortly after the defeat to France at Euro 2016 and will now hand over the armband he took on from Phillip Lahm two years ago.
Max Meyer, Julian Brandt and Niklas Sule have all been included in the starting lineup, fresh on the back from helping Germany to a silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Games. It could have been better for them, of course, with a penalty shootout defeat to hosts Brazil no doubt painful to take, but they will be given time to rest after today's game as they will each be sent back to their club sides.
Low has got to get the balance right, knowing that Germany face Norway in Oslo at the weekend in their first qualifying fixture. We know for definite that three of the starters tonight will play no part in Scandinavia following their Olympic exertions, but can any others nail down a place in the side? Mario Gotze certainly had the pedigree, having bagged the winner in the World Cup final a little over two years ago, so can he light up this friendly fixture?
It may not have been a stellar Euro showing from the Germans, who were also far from their efficient best in qualifying when dropping eight points in total, but there is certainly no need to panic. Low has now been at the helm for the past decade - and a further couple of years when factoring in his assistant duties - but can he now rejuvenate this side ready for their next challenge of defending their world crown?
Defeat to France, courtesy of two Antoine Griezmann goals, is their only setback in seven matches, while they are also expected to ease through a qualifying group containing Norway, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland and San Marino. Die Mannschaft have already waved goodbye to a few players since their World Cup success of 2014, with Schweinsteiger now the latest to bow out, albeit on a slightly less glorious note.
DID YOU KNOW? As for Finland, they head to Germany this evening on the back of a dire run of form under new manager Hans Backe. I say 'new' - Backe has now been in charge for the past seven months, in which time the Eagles-Owls (great nickname) have lost five and drawn one of their six outings. They have also managed just one goal during that time, so a big turnaround is required if their qualifying hoodoo is to end this time around.
It has actually now been nine games since Finland last tasted victory, coming in a narrow 1-0 triumph over minnows Faroe Islands. They finished fourth in their Euro 2016 qualifying group, which was pretty much par for the course as fourth seeds in the group - no over-performing but no under-performing, either. Backe's charges now face Turkey, Ukraine, Iceland, Kosovo and Croatia in this upcoming campaign, starting with a home tie with newcomers Kosovo next Monday.
With this being a night all about Bastian Schweinsteiger, who will bow out tonight with an incredible 121 caps for Germany - it could have been so many more, too, if not for countless injuries over the past decade - let us check out his pre-match thoughts.
"I'm still very, very happy with the number of games I played for Germany. I'm pleased to have been given the opportunity to play a testimonial. When the coach told me, I was delighted and of course emotional about it.
"I had great years here and feel deep gratitude for the games I was allowed to play for Germany. There has been such camaraderie, a family feeling at the DFB and then the 2014 World Cup, and then to be captain. As a little kid, you dream of such things so I'm pleased that I achieved it. I'm really happy and looking forward to [the game]."
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! These two sides have faced off on 22 previous occasions - Germany winning 15 of those and losing just one. That solitary defeat came way back in 1923, although four of those stalemates have come in the last four meetings. Incredibly, the scorelines from those most recent affairs read: 0-0 1-1 2-2 3-3. Get every last penny on a 4-4 draw tonight, then!
Both sets of players are now out on the field of play, with kickoff less than five minutes away at Borussia-Park. There is a short ceremony to come before we get under way, centred around around the great Bastian Schweinsteiger. "Danke, Basti" reads one banner, as a huge roar goes up around this impressive venue in Monchengladbach.
Schweinsteiger, inevitably, breaks into tears following the emotional tribute. Tough times for him at club level of late, but there is no doubting his commitment for Germany. "An honour", he says, as the Man United midfielder holds back the second wave of tears for long enough to thank supporters in attendance. He now needs to compose himself - there is a game of football to play!
KICKOFF! Pre-match ceremony over. Anthems belted out. Minute's silence held. We can now get on with some football! What appears to be a back three for the hosts this evening, which includes new Arsenal man Shkodran Mustafi, while the visitors go with an apparent back five.
I last saw Finland up close when taking on Italy in a pre-Euro friendly. They did not offer a great deal on that occasion, and they could have lost by more than a two-goal margin had the Azzurri put away some of their chances. No openings thus far here.
Hector unable to get on the end of the ball down the left flank, but Germany do win themselves a throw. Expected Die Mannschaft to completely dominate possession this evening, but an early goal would be nice to help with what is essentially a party atmosphere.
Pohjanpalo featured at this ground in the Bundesliga just a few days ago, and he was looking to get in behind inside the opening seven minutes. A pass through to him was slightly overhit, though, and Barcelona keeper Ter Stegen was there to collect.
A huge roar each and every time Schweinsteiger gets on the end of the ball. A really slow tempo to start this contest, which will no doubt suit the man of the moment just fine with his lack of playing time over the past two months or so.
Brandt had a couple of players to pick out when in possession on the right-hand side of the opposition box, including Meyer, but his pullback was cut out. Really slow start to this match, which is not at all surprising with it being a friendly.
The first real piece of danger all evening comes via Schweinsteiger, who showed great vision to pick out Bellarabi's run down the right. The cross into the box was cut out by Hradecky, however, and Finland just about cleared their lines.
SHOT! First shot of the match comes via Meyer, who is spotted by Schweinsteiger on the edge of the box and lets leash with a rather tame attempt down the middle for Hradecky to smother. Better from Germany, who have had two decent attacks now in the same number of minutes.
CLOSE! Germany win a free kick within shooting range, which Schweinsteiger takes on but can only send into the wall and behind for a corner. The set piece is a near-perfect one, though, which Mustafi somehow heads over unmarked inside the box.
As expected, Germany are completely dominating things at Borussia-Park with a quarter of the match now played. One tame shot on target and one wayward header from Mustafi has offered promise, but the hosts now need to step things up another gear.
Ranking points are of course on the line this evening so, while this may be an exhibition match of sorts for Germany, they will not want to be held to a stalemate. Finland setting out their stall to hold on for a goalless draw, it seems.
Some nice interplay from Germany on the edge of the opposition box, but the ball just does not fall for Volland when bursting into the area. Decent enough play from the hosts, but Low will want to see an improvement as things go on.
OFF THE LINE! Real dangerous moment for Finland, as they are caught high up the field. Meyer slides through a sweet pass for Volland to get on the end of; the forward somehow turning the ball towards goal under pressure from two players only for Lam to track back and clear off the line.
OFF THE POST! Germany really cranking things up now! A fine cross from the left was miscued by Arajuuri onto his own post, providing another let-off for the visitors. Die Mannschaft doing everything but putting the ball in the net at the moment.
Germany seen nearly 70% of the ball so far, with Finland barely getting into the opposition half. A goal before the interval would be nice, or else there is always the prospect of a real upset. The visitors did hold Belgium to a draw a few months back.
CHANCE! A huge chance comes and goes for Gotze, who timed his run perfectly to get in behind and even rounded Hradecky for good measure. Full-back Raitala did superbly to block the Dortmund man's shot, however, with the goal gaping.
Bellarabi was wayward with his latest attempt following Gotze's chance, but Germany are now well on top at Borussia-Park. The tempo has not been the greatest, yet the chances are now certainly coming as this half transpires.
Germany now seeing 72% of the ball, with just under 10 minutes to go until the interval. Meyer does well to work a shooting position, but cannot trouble Hradecky in the visiting goal. Nice, quiet evening for the Germans' defensive line thus far.
Bellarabi's ball is collected by Hradecky, who has not had a proper save to make so far. He was beaten by Gotze a short while ago, and also Volland prior to that, but on both occasions defenders got back well to cover on the line.
The openings in front of goal have dried up for Germany all of a sudden. Not the worst halves of football overall, but supporters will be expecting a little more - particularly when it comes to finding the net - after the restart.
SAVE! Centre-back Sule moves forward on his debut and fires away a decent, low shot on goal which Hradecky has to get across to push aside. A good effort, that, from a player so highly rated in these parts.
Just a minute of the half to play, with surely zero minutes of added time to come. Changes may be made at the break, but we can surely expect to see Schweinsteiger remain on the field for at least an hour this evening on his international bow.
HALF TIME: GERMANY 0-0 FINLAND
The half-time whistle sounds at Borussia-Park, bringing to a close an underwhelming opening 45 minutes on the whole. Germany have been well on top from the off, but have created just one clear-cut opening of note which Gotze was unable to make the most of when it fell his way.
Bastian Schweinsteiger found his range early on when picking out Max Meyer, who could only send a tame shot down the middle for Lukas Hradecky to collect down the middle. There was a big chance for new Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi to make the difference soon after, but he sent his header over the bar when left completely unmarked inside the box.
It was far from a vintage first-half showing from the hosts, creating just one real clear-cut opening which Mario Gotze failed to make the most of when rounding Hradecky but seeing his shot blocked by Jukka Raitala in front of goal. Germany did dominate things in terms of possession, though, and were unlucky not to edge ahead after Meyer slid the ball through for Kevin Volland who was only denied by Thomas Lam on the line.
Finland, still without a win since Hans Backe took charge seven games ago, were doing just about enough to keep their opponents out but did get another slice of fortune when Paulus Arajuuri's miscue came back off his post and went to safety. Highly-rated centre-back Niklas Sule, fresh from competing at the Olympic Games in Brazil, did manage to get away another shot late in the half which was again dealt with comfortably enough by Hradecky.
So a goalless and largely uneventful first half in Gladbach, then, but fingers crossed for an improvement after the break. Joachim Low does have some talented back-up options to call upon, including Mesut Ozil, and he may want to give a few of them a run-out ahead of the qualifier against Norway in a few days' time.
RESTART! We are back up and running in Gladbach, where Germany will be hoping to step into first gear as soon as possible. Leno has been introduced for Ter Stegen at the break - one spectator replacing another in one regard!
Pukki also brought on at the midway point for the visitors, replacing Hamalainen, and he was in behind a minute into this second period only for his shot to be blocked from a tight angle. Finland already showing more attacking intent in this half.
Potentially some bad news Arsenal fans - Mustafi has just rolled his ankle and has limped off the pitch. Doesn't look anything too serious at the moment, and he has come back on the field, but expect a change to be made shortly.
Volland powers past Lam and sends a ball right across the face of goal. That came moments after a near-identical scenario at the other end of the pitch, where Pohjanpalo just could not slide the ball home from close range.
Seventy-two per cent possession for Germany in the first half, but that has dropped since the restart. Low might be thinking about making a change or two over the next few minutes, including at the back where Mustafi is still limping.
GOAL! GERMANY 1-0 FINLAND (MAX MEYER)
Germany finally make the breakthrough, and it comes through a far more direct route to goal. A long ball over the top was collected by Gotze on the right, who sent the ball into a dangerous area. Volland stepped over it and allowed Meyer to sweep home his first international goal from eight yards out.
GERMANY SUB! Jonathan Tah is now on the pitch, replacing youngster Niklas Sule in the heart of defence. That means Mustafi will stay on for a while longer - a surprise after seeing him limp heavily prior to that breakthrough moment.
A bizarre moment here, as a fan enters the field and races up to Schweinsteiger for an on-pitch selfie. The Man United midfielder is only too happy to oblige, smiling for the camera and receiving another standing ovation. What a guy!
SUBS! Lod makes way for Schuller in the visitors' second alteration, quickly joined by Saksela replacing Uronen, while Ozil enters the fray in place of Jonas Hector with a little over an hour now played in Gladbach.
CHANCE! Another chances passed up by Gotze, who sees his shot from six yards out blocked behind for a corner. Really should have been hitting the target from there, much like in the first half when rounding Hradecky but failing to convert.
Bellarabi fizzes in a shot which is again blocked away in front of goal. Finland certainly putting their bodies on the line at the back and, with around 24 minutes left to play, they are still not out of this game.
GERMANY SUB! Here we go. Bastian Schweinsteiger, one of the great Germany internationals - one of the greatest the planet has ever seen full stop, for that matter - makes way for the final time. Great moment!
Weigl is the player introduced in place of Schweinsteiger, incidentally, as we now enter the final 20 minutes in Gladbach. Germany not looking under any real threat at the moment, as has been the case all evening, but they are still not home and dry.
Still just the two chances in this second half; Meyer sweeping home the first and Gotze proving profligate when the second arrived soon after. A few changes made by either side has certainly not helped with the flow, and this one is not badly petering out.
A couple of shots have come in from Germany players over the past couple of minutes, the latest of which Hradecky takes via the boot of Volland. Just 16 minutes left to play now in Gladbach and very little currently unfolding on the field.
Germany just simply knocking the ball around now, not really doing a great deal when in possession. Expect them to step things up for that qualifying meeting against Norway at the weekend, but for now this is a case of seeing the job through.
GOAL! GERMANY 2-0 FINLAND (MESUT OZIL)
Mesut Ozil will be claiming this one, as he latches on to Gotze's reverse pass and sends a shot-cross into the box, which deflects off the underside of Arajuuri's leg and past the reach of Hradecky. Looked to be going in regardless - game over!
SUBS! Paulus Arajuuri, who unintentially played a big part in Ozil's goal, makes way for Ojala. Muller also now on for Brandt, as the Bayern man gets a little run-out here ahead of the competitive match with Norway.
Finland showing more attacking intent over the past few minutes than they have all match really, with the game very much over at this stage. Germany would like a third but have not really deserved to win by that sort of margin.
SAVE! Muller's smart movement almost pays off, as he sends in a shot which Hradecky was always favourite to keep out. An onslaught of pressure from the hosts now, who really are keen to add a third goal of the evening.
Gotze goes down inside the box and the crow loudly appeal for a penalty. Replays show that he went down too easily when crowded out, however, so the referee appeared to get that one spot on for me. Not that it matters at this stage!
A really flat finish to this game, which has never truly got going. No denying that Germany deserve their win, but Low will be hoping for far more when making changes for the visit to Norway in a few days' time. Leno forced into making a save with possibly the last act of the game.
FULL TIME: GERMANY 2-0 FINLAND
The referee brings a close to the match, meaning a return to winning ways for Germany. They were good value for their win, but it was far from a stellar performance from the world champions who will look to bring in more experienced faces for their meeting with Norway at the weekend. For Finland, it is now seven games without a win under Backe.
That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at Borussia-Park, but be sure to check out this on-the-whistle report before heading off. We will be back in a few days' time with updates from the opening round of World Cup qualifiers. See you then!
