The Albany Gazette - Diaz helps Colombia past Germany to deepen Flick's woes

Liverpool forward Diaz leapt high to head in a looping Cuadrado cross before the Juventus wing-back scored a late penalty after Germany captain Joshua Kimmich handballed in the box a minute after coming off the bench.

It was Colombia's first win over Germany and means the four-time world champions have won just one of five games since their disastrous group-stage exit at the Qatar World Cup in December.

Germany, who qualify for next year's Euro as hosts, lacked fluidity in Gelsenkirchen, ramping up the pressure on under-fire boss Flick.

After making nine changes for the 1-0 loss to Poland in Warsaw on Friday, Flick again switched things up with five alterations in the starting XI.

The coach handed the armband to Ilkay Gundogan after the treble-winning Manchester City captain's recent successes.

But Germany again looked disjointed and were lucky to avoid conceding a penalty midway through the first half when the home side were caught out by a lightning-fast Colombia counter.

Centre-back Malick Thiaw, in just his second match for Germany, appeared to have brought down Diaz in the box but the referee ruled the AC Milan defender got a toe to the ball.

Diaz got on the scoresheet however in the second half, heading in Cuadrado's ball after Emre Can was dispossessed in his own half.

Flick brought Kimmich on for Gundogan with 10 minutes remaining and the Bayern Munich midfielder gave away a penalty moments afterwards.

Cuadrado stepped up to the spot to send Germany goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen the wrong way.

While Flick has repeatedly defended his side's results on the basis of a desire to experiment before Euro 2024, his position may now be called into question.

Germany will not play again until September, with two home friendlies against Japan and World Cup runners-up France.

(T.Renner--BBZ)