The former Arsenal man, receiving his 130th cap, announced he would call time on his storied international career at the conclusion of the clash and the German FA and their fans did everything to give him the proper send-off. The hugely popular forward, 31, was made captain for the first time by manager Joachim Low on his final outing and was treated to a heroes welcome at the Signal Iduna Park.
And he gave those in attendance exactly what they wanted, signing off with his 49th goal in a Germany shirt. His nickname, 'POLDI', was marked across the seats of the stand usually known as Borussia Dortmund's 'Yellow Wall' whilst supporters poured into the ground wearing Podolski masks and shirts, holding a variety of banners in appreciation of his efforts since his debut in 2004.
A video montage of the Galatasaray man's greatest moments for Die Mannschaft was shown on the big screen as the players lined up prior to the national anthems.
Podolski was then presented with a number of gifts to mark his contribution over the years in a ceremony that caused kick-off to be delayed by eight minutes in Dortmund.
I want to personally say thank you for 13 awesome years on and off the pitch,' Podolski told the adoring crowd ahead of his final cap. 'You fans have played a big part in that.'
And the striker was just as full of emotion following his match-winning display.
'We win 1-0, I get the goal. This is like in the film,' he said. The dear God or someone else has given me this left foot, which I could always trust.
At the mood in the stadium you can see the love Cologne have for me and vice-versa. There were certainly 30,000 Cologne in the stadium. You get goose bumps.
As you know, my home is there and you know that you have done a lot of things right, especially next to the square. That gives me a lot. I am proud of that.
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