Lukas Podolski spared the blushes of Germany and Bendtner hits hat-trick for Denmark

Podolski, on loan at Internazionale from Arsenal, stroked the ball home from close range

Lukas Podolski, right, celebrates his equaliser (EPA)

Lukas Podolski spared the blushes of world champions Germany when he grabbed an 81st-minute equaliser to earn a 2-2 draw against Australia in Kaiserslautern last night.

Podolski, on loan at Internazionale from Arsenal, stroked the ball home from close range after coming off the bench. Earlier, Crystal Palace’s Mile Jedinak had made up for gifting Germany the lead by putting his side 2-1 up with a brilliant, curling free-kick in the 50th minute.

Former Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner scored a hat-trick as Denmark came from behind to beat the United States 3-2 in Aarhus. Jozy Altidore put the visitors ahead after 19 minutes but Bendtner, now with Wolfsburg, levelled from close range just after the half-hour.

Altidore then set up Aron Johannsson to put the US ahead again before Bendtner scored twice in the final seven minutes. He popped up unmarked at the far post to sweep home the equaliser, then smashed home the winner in the final minute.