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Liverpool target Mario Gotze scores as Germany thrash Italy

MUNICH:  Mario Goetze of Germany celebrates after scoring the second goal during the International Friendly match between Germany and Italy
Image: Mario Gotze celebrates his goal against Italy at the Allianz Arena

Mario Gotze was among the Germany scorers as they bounced back from their defeat by England with a 4-1 win over Italy in Munich.

Gotze, who has been linked with a summer move to Liverpool, headed Germany into a 2-0 lead after Toni Kroos, who opened the scoring in the 3-2 loss to England on Saturday, repeated the dose against the Azzurri.

Kroos converted a cross from Thomas Muller to open the scoring in the 24th minute and Gotze made sure of a 2-0 lead at half-time when another Muller assist saw him head past Gianluigi Buffon a minute before the break.

Gotze was also involved in Germany's third goal, when his pass sent Julian Draxler free to cross for Jonas Hector to score his first international goal.

Bayern Munich midfielder Gotze has been plagued by a groin injury this season, and played just over an hour since being hurt against the Republic of Ireland in October.

Mesut Oezil of Germany scores his teams fourth goal from the penalty spot during the International Friendly match between Germany and Italy
Image: Mesut Ozil calmly slots home a penalty to make it 4-0

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil made it 4-0 in the 75th with a penalty conceded by Buffon for a foul on Sebastian Rudy - the veteran 'keeper appeared somewhat lucky to avoid being sent off.

Stephan El Shaarawy came off the bench to score a consolation goal for Antonio Conte's side with seven minutes remaining.

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N'Golo Kante and Dimitri Payet scored on their birthdays as France beat England's group-stage opponents, Russia, 4-2 in Paris.

Arda Turan was on target for Turkey in a 2-1 win over Austria in Vienna as they extended their unbeaten run to 13 games ahead of Euro 2016.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA - MARCH 29:  Hakan Calhanoglu of Turkey celebrates after scoring during the international friendly match between Austria and Turkey
Image: Hakan Calhanoglu got Turkey back level as they claimed a 2-1 win over Austria in Vienna

Turan made the most of a poor clearance by home 'keeper Ramazan Ozcan, lobbing the ball straight back over his head from long range to cap a Turkey comeback.

Austria, who dropped only one point in qualifying, went ahead when Zlatko Junuzovic scored from a chance set up by Stoke City striker Marko Arnautovic in the 22nd minute.

Turkey equalised two minutes before half-time with a fantastic free kick from midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu.

Sweden were held to a 1-1 draw by the Czech Republic in Solna, with Marcus Berg's opener for the hosts being cancelled out by on-loan Reading striker Matej Vydra.

Elsewhere, there were 2-0 wins for Norway at home against Finland and Bulgaria in Macedonia, Latvia emerged with a 5-0 victory from their trip to Gibraltar, Serbia beat Estonia 1-0 away, Georgia drew 1-1 at home with Kazakhstan, and the match between Montenegro and Belarus finished 0-0.

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