Thomas Mueller, Sami Khedira score as Germany beats France

Sami Khedira celebrates scoring for Germany in a win over France on Wednesday.

Chrisophe Ena/AP

PARIS (AP) -- Thomas Mueller and Sami Khedira scored clinical second-half goals as Germany withstood heavy spells of pressure to come from behind and beat France 2-1 in a friendly on Wednesday.

France took the lead shortly before halftime when Mathieu Valbuena punished some slack Germany defending to head in from close range after Karim Benzema's freekick had struck the crossbar. Mueller scored shortly after the break with a shot into the top corner and Germany then withstood a 20-minute barrage as France pushed for a second goal.

Instead, it went to the Germans as France's left flank was exposed for the second time, allowing Khedira to run through and slip the ball into the bottom corner.

France had won four of their past five encounters, with the other one drawn.

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