Germany finished their World Cup Qualifying campaign with a thumping 5-1 win over Azerbaijan to ensure a 100% record at the top of Group C. Their final total of 43 goals from ten qualifying games is a new German record, and their +39 goal difference a world record.
Joachim Löw’s side were slow getting started, but took the lead after just eight minutes through a sensational backheel by Leon Goretzka. The DFB Team were given a scare in the first half when Ramil Sheydaev struck low to equalise for the visitors, which saw the teams go in level at half time.
The Azerbaijan equaliser was not the only cause for concern in the first half: Both Shkodran Mustafi and Niklas Süle had to be taken off with injuries. They were replaced by Matthias Ginter and Antonio Rudiger respectively. The World champions tried to hit straight back after conceding the unexpected equaliser, but the best chance to re-take the lead in the first half fell to Sandro Wagner, whose initial shot rebounded off the post, back onto his knee and wide of the goal. 1-1
Wagner puts Germany back in front
The second half began with a much more determined and thus more familiar German side and the dangerous attacks came thick and fast, with Sané and Brandt coming close to scoring on three occasions in just the first 10 minutes of the second half. Shortly after, Germany did indeed find their second goal: Brandt’s cross from the right was headed firmly towards goal by Sandro Wagner, the ball was cleared from just behind the line and the goal was rightly awarded.
Germany did not have the back of the net bulging, however, until the 64th minute, after Lars Stindl was unfortunate to not see his long-range effort float in; substitute Rudiger was the man to eventually double the lead, heading home a corner. Just moments later, Leon Goretzka was on hand to complete his brace and put the game beyond all doubt with a simple finish from close range.
Can puts the icing on the cake
The final goal of the game came in the 81st minute, when Emre Can struck his second long-range effort, this time beating the keeper cleanly from 30 yards. A terrific finish to round off a perfect World Cup qualifying campaign.
Germany finished their World Cup Qualifying campaign with a thumping 5-1 win over Azerbaijan to ensure a 100% record at the top of Group C. Their final total of 43 goals from ten qualifying games is a new German record, and their +39 goal difference a world record.
Joachim Löw’s side were slow getting started, but took the lead after just eight minutes through a sensational backheel by Leon Goretzka. The DFB Team were given a scare in the first half when Ramil Sheydaev struck low to equalise for the visitors, which saw the teams go in level at half time.
The Azerbaijan equaliser was not the only cause for concern in the first half: Both Shkodran Mustafi and Niklas Süle had to be taken off with injuries. They were replaced by Matthias Ginter and Antonio Rudiger respectively. The World champions tried to hit straight back after conceding the unexpected equaliser, but the best chance to re-take the lead in the first half fell to Sandro Wagner, whose initial shot rebounded off the post, back onto his knee and wide of the goal. 1-1
Wagner puts Germany back in front
The second half began with a much more determined and thus more familiar German side and the dangerous attacks came thick and fast, with Sané and Brandt coming close to scoring on three occasions in just the first 10 minutes of the second half. Shortly after, Germany did indeed find their second goal: Brandt’s cross from the right was headed firmly towards goal by Sandro Wagner, the ball was cleared from just behind the line and the goal was rightly awarded.
Germany did not have the back of the net bulging, however, until the 64th minute, after Lars Stindl was unfortunate to not see his long-range effort float in; substitute Rudiger was the man to eventually double the lead, heading home a corner. Just moments later, Leon Goretzka was on hand to complete his brace and put the game beyond all doubt with a simple finish from close range.
Can puts the icing on the cake
The final goal of the game came in the 81st minute, when Emre Can struck his second long-range effort, this time beating the keeper cleanly from 30 yards. A terrific finish to round off a perfect World Cup qualifying campaign.
