Classy Germany break French curse

Real Madrid duo Mesut Özil and Sami Khedira combined to devastating effect as Germany came from behind in Paris to beat France 2-1 in a heavyweight showdown here on Wednesday night.

Khedira supplied Özil and then got on the end of a brilliant return pass from the little playmaker before finishing past Hugo Lloris in the 74th minute to hand Germany their first victory over their neighbours since reunification.

The last time France had lost to a German team was back in 1987, when Rudi Völler scored twice in a 2-1 West Germany victory.

It looked like Les Bleus' impressive run against their old foes would continue when Mathieu Valbuena headed the hosts in front at the Stade de France just before half time.

However, a cool finish from Thomas Müller brought the visitors level within six minutes of the restart, and Joachim Löw's side then soaked up second-half pressure before securing a confidence-boosting win.

"In the first-half we had a good system, but we conceded an unlucky goal. We've probably got our winners mentality back," said Müller.

Khedira said that they didn't deserve to trail but the right team had prevailed eventually.

"It was unnecessary to concede the goal, but you can't keep the French quiet for 90 minutes," he said. "We gave the right answer in the second half."

Defeated France coach Didier Deschamps said basic errors had cost them.