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Bastian Schweinsteiger bows out as Germany beat Finland

Bastian Schweinsteiger bows out as Germany beat Finland

By REUTERS

Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger gets honoured by his teammates after their friendly match with Finland in Moenchengladbach, Germany on August 31, 2016. Photo: Reuters

Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger won his 121st cap in his last match for Germany as they beat Finland 2-0 in an international friendly in Moenchengladbach on Wednesday. Max Meyer's opener and Paulus Arajuuri's own goal handed the win to Germany, who gave a debut to Hoffenheim defender Niklas Seuele, a member of Horst Hrubesch's silver medal-winning Olympic team. Manchester United midfielder Schweinsteiger, who announced his international retirement on July 29 following Germany's semi-final elimination from Euro 2016, played for 68 minutes before going off to a standing ovation. 'It means so much that you're here today. It has been an honour to play for you,' Schweinsteiger told the fans. 'It meant so much to me and I feel a deep gratitude. We will see each other again in the future and, until then, I wish the national side all the best.' The 32-year-old, part of the 2014 World Cup-winning squad, is fourth on the all-time list of appearances for Germany.