With the exception of the famous 5-1 victory in Munich back in 2001, England had often struggled to collect a positive result from their encounters on German soil.
So, when they made the trip to Berlin five years ago today for a friendly match without a host of senior players, not too much was expected. The likes of Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney were all absent.
However, from the first whistle, it was clear that Fabio Capello's side were determined not to be beaten against the Euro 2008 finalists.
Jermain Defoe had an early chance after he had been released by strike partner Gabriel Agbonlahor, but his low strike was blocked by Rene Adler.
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The Germany goalkeeper, though, would be at fault as the Three Lions broke the deadlock in the 24th minute. He failed to grab hold of a Stewart Downing corner and centre-back Matthew Upson pounced to stab the ball into the net from close range.
Downing went close to doubling England's advantage before the break when Adler pushed clear his powerful strike, while Shaun Wright-Phillips could not turn in the rebound.
Darren Bent replaced the injured Defoe at half time and he should have put the visitors 2-0 in front shortly after the restart. He rounded substitute keeper Tim Wiese, but when the time came to shoot into an empty net, the forward lost his footing.
England had done most things right up until that point, only for their first real error in the 63rd minute to be punished. John Terry attempted to shield off Patrick Helmes and allow the ball to run back to keeper Scott Carson, who hesitated. As a result, Helmes nipped in between the two players to level up proceedings.
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The response from England was positive and they went close on two occasions as Agbonlahor shot into the side-netting from a narrow angle and Wright-Phillips struck the upright from distance.
Their pressure was eventually rewarded six minutes from time with the winning goal. Chelsea's Terry made amends for his part in the Germany goal when he rose highest inside the penalty area to head Downing's cross beyond a helpless Wiese.
It meant that England had ended 2008 having lost just one of their 10 games, winning eight.
GERMANY: Adler (Wiese); Friedrich (Tasci), Mertesacker, Westermann, Compper (Schafer); Schweinsteiger, Rolfes, Jones (Marin), Trochowski; Gomez (Podolski), Klose (Helmes)
ENGLAND: James (Carson); Johnson, Terry, Upson, Bridge; Wright-Phillips (Crouch), Carrick, Barry, Downing; Defoe (Bent), Agbonlahor (Young)
Liam Apicella
