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Mertesacker baffled by four-goal debacle

The pool’s heavyweights conceded four goals in the final 30 minutes to let slip a seemingly certain three points against Sweden.

GERMANY DEFENDER Per Mertesacker was at a loss to explain his side’s amazing 4-4 draw with Sweden in their World Cup qualifier last night.

The Germans opened up a 4-0 lead with 30 minutes remaining in Berlin thanks to a Miroslav Klose brace and goals from Mertesacker and Mesut Oezil.

But remarkably, Germany squandered a dominant position against their Group C opponents.

“I really cannot explain what happened here tonight,” the Arsenal defender said. “We are all just very disappointed after a game like that.

“But what I can say is: If you are four goals in front and dominate the match then can’t just play with half power. That doesn’t work on this level.

“Against a team like Sweden every little mistake gets punished and that is lesson we have to learn.”

Mertesacker admitted his team-mates have to learn from the experience.

“You know, everything is possible in football, even that I score a goal,” he said. ”It’s a physical impossibility like the comeback from the Swedish team tonight.

“Maybe some important lessons we just need to learn. It may be the right place in a qualification for big tournament like the world cup but in the end I can’t explain this game. We have to give 100 percent all the game.”

Open thread: After last night’s win, should Giovanni Trapattoni be given more time?

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