Israel went down 2-0 in an international friendly against Euro 2012 finalists Germany on Thursday night.

Beaten 2-1 by the Czech Republic last weekend, Eli Guttman's troops succumbed to strikes from Mario Gomez and Andre Schuerrle.

Having hit the woodwork through Jerome Boateng midway through the first half, the hosts took the lead on the stroke of half time when Gomez latched on to a ball from Thomas Mueller to fire into the roof of the net.

Israel came close to equalising twice in the second half but home keeper Manuel Neuer was equal to both strikes and a late strike from substitute Schuerrle sealed the match.

Germany manager Joachim Loew said: "We could have scored more goals but to go to the finals with a victory is good for us."