Cordoba is the Argentine city where Austria knocked then reigning champions West Germany out of the 1978 World Cup finals, but four years later the rivalry became far too friendly.

Tournament football was changed forever, when, in the 1982 World Cup, the Germans beat Austria by a single goal to ensure both countries progressed through the group stages.

Algeria were the nation to suffer and complained to FIFA, who upheld the result but changed the rules for subsequent tournaments so the final two games in each group are played simultaneously.

And it was more friendly fire that resulted in Hickersberger and German boss being banished to the stands shortly before half-time.

The pair exchanged words from their technical areas, but appeared to have settled matters themselves.

Referee Gonzalez got involved, though and seemed to anger them both. In a stand of solidarity, Hickersberger walked into Low’s technical area and refused to leave. Both men remonstrated with fourth official Damir Skomina, but Gonzalez had seen enough and sent them packing.

On their way off the pitch, Low and Hickersberger shook hands before Low had a chat with German chancellor Angela Merkel before taking his seat next to her and banned midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.

It overshadowed a first half in which the Germans started quickly, but Austria battled back, causing their neighbours problems.

In the fifth minute, Miroslav Klose did well to wriggle free on the right and cross for Gomez, who had an open goal in front of him only four yards out. But he somehow spooned his effort and Gyorgy Garics cleared his follow-up header off the line.

The let-off seemed to breathe life into the Austrians, who were twice denied by former Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann in the space of 60 seconds. First, he raced out to gather the ball at the feet of Erwin Hoffer then tipped a Rene Aufhauser shot round a post.

Gonzalez made himself even more unpopular with the Austrian supporters four minutes into the second half when he awarded the free-kick from which Ballack scored.

Andreas Ivanschitz was ruled to have brought down Philipp Lahm 20 yards out and Ballack drove the ball into the top corner, giving Jurgen Macho no chance.

Klose should have settled any German nerves in the 66th minute by doubling the lead but hesitated when through and Emanuel Pogatetz slid in to block him.

Klose was wasteful again a few minutes later when he  sliced an angled drive into the side-netting.

Austria (4-3-2-1): Macho; Garics, Stranzl, Hiden (Leitgeb 55), Pogatetz; Aufhauser (Saumel 63), Ivanschitz, Fuchs; Harnik (Kienast 67), Korkmaz; Hoffer. Booked: Stranzl, Hoffer, Ivanschitz

Germany (4-4-2): Lehmann; Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm; Fritz, Ballack, Frings (Borowski 90), Podolski; (Neuville 83) Klose, Gomez (Hitzlsperger 60). Goal: Ballack 49

Referee: M Gonzales (Spain).