Germany, Argentina show the way

Germany and Argentina, old World Cup rivals and the two favourites for the 2006 edition, fought out a 2-2 draw in Duesseldorf on Wednesday in the pick of the night's friendlies.

Elsewhere, however, several of Europe's other powers appeared to have their minds on next weekend's club matches as they played out a series of limp friendlies, as usual blighted by mass substitutions.

England and the Netherlands drew 0-0 in Birmingham, France drew their fifth successive home match when they finished 1-1 with Sweden while European championship runners-up Portugal barely broke sweat in losing 1-0 in Ireland.

Italy did manage to rouse themselves to beat Russia 2-0 while the Czech Republic won 3-0 in Slovenia.

The Netherlands, Portugal and Russia all wore special black-and-white kits as part of UEFA's anti-racism campaign while others, including England and Italy, wore anti-racism logos.

The unfamiliar colours added to the atmosphere of unreality in many of the games but it felt like the real thing in Duesseldorf where Hernan Crespo twice equalised for Argentina, with a penalty and a spectacular late chip.

Germany, the 2006 World Cup hosts, took the lead in the 28th minute with a Torsten Frings penalty before Crespo levelled with a second spot-kick five minutes before the break.

Germany went back in front through a Kevin Kuranyi goal on the stroke of halftime but were denied a morale-boosting win when Crespo floated in his second equaliser nine minutes from time.

Coach Juergen Klinsmann was frustrated at his side's continuing failure to beat a top-ranked team but was generally happy with their performance.

"I would have preferred to win this one but it's not the end of the world," he said.

"We'll just have to wait until the Confederations Cup to beat a world power.

"Our game is developing very nicely. We were aggressive and pushed the ball forward. Obviously, it's a bit annoying that Argentina got the late equaliser."

Argentina coach Jose Pekerman was also upbeat. "It was an excellent match between two teams who clearly wanted to win," he said.

QUIET OPENING

After a quiet opening half in Rome, Italy woke up after the break as goals by Alberto Gilardino and Simone Barone brought a comfortable win over Russia.

It was the other way round in Birmingham as England and the Netherlands began brightly, Dutch forward Dirk Kuijt hitting a post, in what looked an attractive fixture on paper.

However, the game quickly lost its way and, amid the now-obligatory welter of England substitutions, became a disorganised mess for most of the second half.

There was more action in Paris where France showed signs of a revival before settling for yet another draw after previous home stalemates against Bosnia, Israel Ireland and Poland.

Sweden led through midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg in the 11th minute but striker David Trezeguet, returning after a six-month injury absence, headed the equaliser in the 36th.

France are yet to win at home since coach Raymond Domenech took over in July.

"We are playing better on every outing," said Domenech. "I'm still confident. I hope there will come a day when we'll win."

A first-half goal by Andy O'Brien, following a slip by Portugal defender Paulo Ferreira, gave Ireland an encouraging home win over last year's Euro 2004 hosts.

The Irish showed plenty of running against a Portugal side who failed to get out of second gear.