The world champions kept up their perfect record in the second qualifying game for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, as Joachim Löw’s side defeated the Czech Republic 3-0 in Hamburg. Thomas Müller picked up his third and fourth goals of the campaign either side of a Toni Kroos goal, which secured the victory in front of a sellout crowd of 51,299 and extended the German national team’s run of 25 World Cup qualifying games without defeat.
The result means that Germany remain at the top of Group C, having collected the maximum six points from their first two games, while the Czechs occupy fourth spot. Surprise package Azerbaijan are in second, having beaten Norway 1-0 earlier in the evening. In the group’s other game, Northern Ireland ran out 4-0 winners over San Marino, to give them a boost ahead of their clash with Germany in Hannover on Tuesday (20:45 CEST).
Müller gets the ball rolling early
Looking to build on the 3-0 win in Norway that got his side off to a good start in qualifying, Löw placed his trust in an experienced line-up, with captain Manuel Neuer one of nine world champions that started the game. The first opportunity of the game for the hosts fell to another of the heroes from Brazil, Toni Kroos, but his long-range effort went wide of the Czech goal.
From the very first minute, Die Mannschaft showed that they meant business, dominating their opponents, who weren’t prepared to back down easily. Czech coach Karel Jarolim set up his team to play an offensive game, but that gave their hosts that little bit more space when they won the ball back. The home side took full advantage in the 13th minute, when a quick move passed through Mario Götze and Mesut Özil on its way to Müller, who made no mistake to slot home his 35th international goal.
Die Mannschaft continue to dominate
The world champions didn’t let up. A long ball from Jerome Boateng landed at the feet of Wolfsburg midfielder Julian Draxler, but his shot on the turn flew just past the far post. Only a few moments later, Vaclik made a superb save to deny goalscorer Müller a second goal with his instep.
The hosts carved out a number of chances, particularly from the long balls delivered by central defenders Mats Hummels and Boateng, and treated the spectators to a series of flowing moves. Götze was the next to narrowly miss out on doubling his side’s lead, before Müller came close once again and Joshua Kimmich’s dangerous cross nearly went in without a touch, but Vaclik did well to keep it out.
Kroos and Müller round off the scoring
It didn’t take long after the break to get the Hamburg crowd celebrating again when Kimmich set up Kroos, who showed excellent technique to place his finish into the bottom corner of the net. Less than ten minutes later, Özil almost added a third goal, before a cross from Jonas Hector nearly provided Müller with the chance for a third.
Shortly after the visitors’ first chance of the match fell the way of Borek Dockal in the 63rd minute, the Hector-Müller combination did pay off. The Köln man fired the ball across goal and Müller simply had to get the telling touch to score his second, and his team’s third. With the game now safe, Löw’s men comfortably saw out the closing stages. But there was one more reason to be cheerful, as Ilkay Gündogan finally completed his recovery from a series of injuries, coming on as a 76th minute substitute to make his first appearance for the national side in almost a year, and his 17th overall.
