Germany classy in win; Spain win late; Mexico trip up Italy

MUNICH - Three-time world champions Germany put on an offensive display in beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 in Thursday’s 2010 World Cup warm-up action, while title-holders Italy fell against Mexico and Spain overcame South Korea late.

Bosnia took the lead after 15 minutes, but Philipp Lahm equalised in his first match as new German captain in the 50th minute. Bastian Schweinsteiger converted spot kicks in the 73rd and 77th minutes for the 3-1 German victory in Frankfurt.

Mexico went ahead 1-0 through Carlos Vela after 17 minutes. It was 2-0 at the 84-minute mark on Alberto Medina’s goal before Leonardo Bonucci scored a consolation goal in Italy’s 1-2 defeat at the hands of Mexico in Brussels.

Jesus Navas struck the game-winner with five minutes to play as Vicente del Bosque’s Spain beat South Korea 1-0 in Innsbruck, Austria.

In their final friendly before the World Cup in South Africa, Joachim Loew’s German side nearly took the lead after nine minutes, but Lukas Podolski hammered his attempt off the crossbar.

Germany fell behind in the 15th minute on a goal by Dzeko, who earns his salary in the Bundesliga. The Wolfsburg striker headed a pass forward that Lahm tried to clear, but the ball went off Dzeko’s chest and over German keeper Manuel Neuer.

Lahm knotted the game five minutes after the break, unleashing a blast off the lower half of the crossbar after a long run for his first goal since the semi-finals of the 2008 European Championship against Turkey.

Mesut Oezil was the next German to hit the crossbar just two minutes later.

Loew’s men grabbed the lead with 17 minutes left as Schweinsteiger converted his penalty after Sanel Jahic took down Marko Marin in the area.

Bosnian captain Emir Spahic felled Thomas Mueller in the area just four minutes later, and Schweinsteiger hit home again from the spot for the final scoreline.

“It was a good showing. We had three good chances in the first half and finally got the goals in the second half,” said Lahm, who took over for the injured Michael Ballack as Germany’s captain.

“In the second half we were able to increase the tempo even more after three tough weeks of training camp. And we deserved this win,” said Loew, whose German side will play Australia, Ghana and Serbia in Group D.

“It gives us confidence heading to South Africa.”

Italy still have one more friendly Saturday against Switzerland to bounce back from their 2-1 loss against Mexico.

Vicenzo Iaquinta’s header was saved at the line by the Mexico defence after just three minutes.

Carlos Vela gave the Mexicans the lead in the 17th minute, finishing off a fine counter attack action and beating Italian star keeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Italy found the back of the net in the 62nd minute, but Alberto Gilardino was ruled offside. And Mexico took advantage of the miscue to double the lead at the 84-minute mark with Alberto Medina striking to the far left corner after a counterattack.

Italy, who play against Paraguay, Denmark and New Zealand in Group F, grabbed a goal back with a minute left in regulation as Leonardo Bonucci hit home a loose ball that had struck off the left upright.

“I know my players. They told me that they feel their legs heavy. It will be important to recover for the hard work in the next days,” said Italian coach Marcello Lippi. “Had we played more than trained, we would have done better.”

Mexico now head to South Africa looking forward to the World Cup opener against the hosts June 11, followed by matches against Uruguay and France.

European champions Spain finally solved a tough South Korea defence in the 85th minute with Jesus Navas scoring the winner.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, whose team plays Honduras, Chile and Switzerland in Group H in South Africa, rested a number of his regulars, including Iker Casillas, Carles Puyol and for the first half David Villa.

Cesc Febregas nearly gave the Spanish the lead after 35 minutes, beating South Korean keeper Lee Woon Jae from the edge of the area but striking the right side of the post.

The Iberians finally solved the Asian side with five minutes to play as Navas struck into the near upper right corner from just outside the right edge of the area.

“Even though it was just a warm-up, getting a victory was very important for us at this stage of the preparations,” said Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes.

Spain will face Poland in their final friendly Tuesday.

At South Africa 2010, South Korea take on Greece, Nigeria and Argentina in Group B.