Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made his comeback from a nine-month injury break on Saturday but was unable to prevent the world champions suffering a surprise 2-1 friendly defeat to Austria.
Neuer, who had not played a single official game since breaking a bone in his foot back in September, was handed the captaincy and looked fresh and confident but was powerless to stop Austria's two second-half goals.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. It was Germany's fifth match without a win and their first defeat to Austria for 32 years.
Forward Nils Petersen was given his Germany debut at the age of 29 but was largely anonymous.
Austria gifted their bigger neighbours an eleventh minute lead when goalkeeper Joerg Siebenhandl sent a dreadful clearance straight to Mesut Ozil who scored from just inside the penalty area.
The hosts came back well and Neuer made a superb close-range save from Florian Grillitsch just after the half hour.
The 32-year-old was powerless, however, when David Alaba's corner found Martin Hinteregger at the far post and he volleyed home in the 53rd minute.
Neuer made another important stop, this time from Marko Arnautovic, but was beaten again from close range Alessandro Schoepf in the 69th minute.
Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff said on Friday that Neuer will be their first choice goalkeeper at the World Cup if he makes the final squad, which will be announced on Monday when four players will be cut from the current 27.
Neuer missed almost the entire season after breaking a bone in his foot and undergoing surgery and his comeback for Bayern Munich was repeatedly delayed.
England kicked off their World Cup preparations with a 2-1 friendly win over Nigeria, but Raheem Sterling ended a troubled week on a low note as the Manchester City star was booked for diving.
Gareth Southgate's side swept into a two-goal lead as Gary Cahill and captain Harry Kane netted in a dominant first-half display at Wembley.
But that encouraging opening was marred by a lethargic effort from England after the interval.
Alex Iwobi reduced the deficit for Nigeria, who came close to equalising after exposing the flaws in Southgate's three-man defence by repeatedly attacking down the flanks.
Southgate still has time to work on those tactical issues as England have one more friendly -- against Costa Rica in Leeds on Thursday - before they fly to Russia for their Group G opener against Tunisia in Volgograd on June 18.
"We played really well, with the ball especially. Far more good situations than in recent games," Southgate insisted.
"The period leading up to their goal, they changed their system and we took some time to adjust.
"But after that we dealt with it well. It was a decent exercise for us to adjust to that."
But the England manager will also have to consider having another talk with Sterling after the City winger's latest controversy.
Speaking just before kick-off, Southgate admitted he had doubts about selecting Sterling after he arrived a day late for the start of England's training camp due to a flight mix-up as he returned from holiday.
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