Germany 2-3 England: Five talking points from Berlin

By Simeon Gholam & Peter Smith

Image: Eric Dier celebrates his winner against Germany

England put in a hugely encouraging display as they came back from two goals down to beat Germany 3-2 in Berlin on Saturday night.

Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy scored impressive goals before Eric Dier thumped in a stoppage time winner, while Dele Alli and a number of other players also impressed.

Here, we take a look at five talking points from England's dramatic victory...

England have plenty of options in attack

Image: Harry Kane is one of a number of attacking options for England

A penny for Wayne Rooney's thoughts as England fought their way back into the game with goals from Kane and substitute Vardy. 

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The captain, as you'd expect, tweeted his congratulations to his international team-mates after the game, but there remain questions of where - or if - the Manchester United man fits into England's starting XI at the Euros. 

Spreading the goals around

The last nine goals scored by England players for England have all come from different people (Dier, Vardy, Kane, Rooney, Alli, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Barkley, Sterling and Walcott).

In Rooney's absence, Kane produced a smart Cruyff turn and powerful finish to take his tally to four goals in nine games for his country, before Vardy flicked in a cheeky equaliser.

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With Danny Welbeck getting back to form after a long injury lay off, Daniel Sturridge an unused substitute in Germany and Alli and Ross Barkley pushing for attacking roles, the England skipper will be desperate to get back to fitness and remind Hodgson and the England supporters of what he can do. 

Vardy: Impact sub?

Jamie Vardy has scored and assisted a goal in his last two sub appearances for England. His goal came 198 seconds after his introduction.

Alli is a superstar in the making

Image: Dele Alli escapes the attentions of Mesut Ozil

A glaring late miss aside, Alli produced a starring performance in midfield for England which belied his 19 years of age. To think he was playing in League One this time last year...

Alli already has as many Premier League goals before his 20th birthday as Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes managed combined, and in just a few months the Tottenham ace has gone from an unlikely England debutant to a near certainty for Euro 2016. 

Alli the all-rounder

Dele Alli made more tackles (three) and had more shots (five) than any other player on the pitch.

In the build-up to this fixture, Hodgson suggested Alli could go on to become a player comparable to Bryan Robson in the future and the teenager exhibited his all-round ability against Germany. 

From tough tackles and fierce long-range shots to stylish step-overs and clever back-heels, Alli produced a performance which suggests he could very well be one of the stars of this summer's showpiece. 

Pochettino's impact 

Image: Danny Rose became the latest Pochettino player to make his England debut

While the night belonged to England, Hodgson should probably take a nice bottle of wine with him when he next pays a visit to White Hart Lane. 

Eleven of the last 19 England players to make their debuts have been charges of Mauricio Pochettino at club level, with the latest in Danny Rose impressing at left-back on Saturday night.

England comeback stuns Germany

Read our match report of England's 3-2 win in Germany

Alli was also superb, as were his Tottenham team-mates on the night, Kane and Eric Dier. It may be difficult for Hodgson to leave out any of the Spurs quartet for England's opening Euro 2016 game against Russia.

England on a run 

Image: Roy Hodgson has coached England to an impressive post-World Cup record

The last World Cup was a disaster, make no mistake about it. But the FA stuck by Hodgson and the England boss has produced a run of results which deserve credit.

His record now stands at 14 wins, two draws and one defeat - in Spain in November - since England's exit in Brazil, including a perfect qualifying campaign for the European Championships. 

Vardy's top five goals

After Jamie Vardy's stunner against Germany, we take a look at his best goals of the 2015/16 season

What he must now do, however, is make sure the good run and optimism lasts right the way through the summer.

Frustration for Butland

Image: Jack Butland suffered a painful night in Berlin

A rare opportunity to show what he can do on the international stage came to a cruel end for Jack Butland, as he was taken off on a stretcher moments after being beaten too easily by Toni Kroos for the opening goal.

The Stoke goalkeeper showed his inexperience in booting the ball upfield rather than out of play after picking up an injury, and England paid the penalty within seconds as he failed to get across to keep out Kroos' near-post strike.

England player ratings

Peter Taylor gives his assessment on England's players after their win in Germany

Butland is now unlikely to play any part against the Netherlands on Tuesday night, which leaves Fraser Forster with the chance to show that he is the most able deputy to Joe Hart in France this summer. 

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