England take on Germany at Wembley - in pictures

Spectators make their way up a dark Wembley Way towards the stadium Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Let's hope the fans have wrapped up warm as it's only 2C (35F) Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The Band of the Blues and Royals wait to emerge on to the pitch Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

In Roy they trust Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The two teams line up ready for kick-off. The England starting line-up is Hart; Walker, Jagielka, Smalling, Cole; Gerrard, Cleverley; Townsend, Rooney, Lallana; Sturridge. England manager Roy Hodgson has restored Joe Hart in goal, with the under fire No1 having not played for club or country since 27 October
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Both sides are having a lot of possession in the opening stages but neither sets of forwards are seeing much of the ball. Here Adam Lallana is heavily outnumbered Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

A dejected Steven Gerrard after he narrowly missed with a shot Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the guardian

Germany are having much the better of things in the air and have threatened Joe Hart's goal on a number of occasions but he's been hard to beat, such as during this wonder save with which he clawed away Pers Mertesacker's bullet header Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Six minutes before half-time Per Mertesacker rises above Tom Cleverley to power the ball past Joe Hart and give Germany the lead. Half-time score: England 0-1 Germany Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Daniel Sturridge can't get past the German defence as England push forward in the second half in search of the equaliser Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Andros Townsend and his electric pace are key elements in England's stirring start to the second half Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Townsend unleashes a left foot blaster from distance which smacks against the upright Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Joe Hart keeps England in the game with a fabulous save from Gotze's low drive towards the bottom corner Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Toni Kroos: man of the match Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Adam Lallana rugby tackles Mario Gotze Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Marcell Jansen tackles Daniel Sturridge just as he prepares to shoot Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

The final whistle goes and the Germans celebrate heartily. England did play well here and there but in the end, though, they were beaten by a better football team. Final score: England 0-1 Germany Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian