BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — Sandro Wagner made a case to face England in Germany’s forthcoming f riendly i nternational by netting twice in Hoffenheim’s 3-0 win at the Bundesliga’s bottom side Cologne yesterday.

The Germans face Gareth Southgate’s England at Wembley on Friday before hosting France four days later in Cologne in friendlies designed to test the defending champions before next year’s World Cup in Russia.

The burly Wagner, who has scored five goals for Germany in five appearances, drilled home a penalty on 56 minutes, then netted a header from a cross by ex-Leicester City player Andrej Kramaric on 80 minutes.

Hoffenheim had taken the lead after just nine minutes when midfielder Dennis Geiger stabbed the ball home at the second attempt.

The result lifts Hoffenheim to fifth, seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich who are now four points clear at the top after Saturday’s 3-1 win at Borussia Dortmund, who drop to third.

Cologne remain rooted to the bottom, eight points from safety after 11 games with pressure growing on Austrian coach Peter Stoeger.

Wagner’s double in Cologne is well timed after Germany’s first-choice striker Timo Werner underlined his form after a neck injury with a goal and assist in RB Leipzig’s 2-1 comeback win at home to Hanover 96 on Saturday.

Later on Sunday, Wolfsburg were denied their first win since August in a topsy-turvy 3-3 draw at home to Hertha Berlin in a first-half dominated by the video assistant referee.

Striker Vedad Ibisevic put Hertha ahead after just 20 seconds before the VAR disallowed two Wolfsburg goals.

The result leaves both teams in mid-table with Wolfsburg having drawn their last seven league games in a row.