Bayern attacker Thomas Müller (r.) scored two and made one as Germany beat Norway in Oslo. - © © imago / ActionPictures
Bayern attacker Thomas Müller (r.) scored two and made one as Germany beat Norway in Oslo. - © © imago / ActionPictures

2018 World Cup qualifying: Norway 0-3 Germany - As it happened!

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Reigning world champions Germany got off to the ideal start in their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign thanks to a 3-0 triumph over Norway in Oslo.

Recap the action as it happened below...

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23:05 - That's a wrap

That concludes our live coverage for the day, thanks very much for joining us. A great win for Germany and a night to remember for Bayern youngster Kimmich! Gute Nacht!

Reaction

22:55 - Löw satisfied

Here is what Germany coach Joachim Löw had to say on Müller's first goal: "It was a typical Müller goal, but it will do him a world of good. He worked so hard at EURO 2016, but didn’t score. You could tell he wanted to score, but I’m happy for him that it happened tonight."

Full time - Norway 0-3 Germany

A comfortable and richly deserved victory for Germany in the end, with goals from Müller and Kimmich handing them three points and the perfect start to their World Cup title defence.

- © imago / ActionPictures

84' - Norway 0-3 Germany

Double substitution for Germany, with Julian Weigl and Max Meyer coming on for Sami Khedira and Julian Draxler.

78' - Norway 0-3 Germany

Brandt goes close to adding a fourth, hitting a swerving left-footed shot from 18-yards that Jarstein does well to parry away.

- © gettyimages / Alex Grimm

72'- Norway 0-3 Germany

Bayer 04 Leverkusen youngster Julian Brandt comes on for Mario Götze. Germany are showing no sign of easing off, and are still patiently stroking the ball around while waiting for gaps to open up.

Meanwhile, enjoy somemore Müller magic, with each of his Bundesliga goals from 2015/16:

60' - Norway 0-3 Germany

The points are surely Germany's now. Sami Khedira curls in a teasing cross from the right and Müller runs across his marker to guide a header low past Rune Jarstein. That's two goals and an assist for the 26-year-old this evening.

Is Müller in your Official Fantasy Bundesliga team? If not, now would be a good time to transfer him in!

Half-time - Norway 0-2 Germany

A two-goal lead is the least Germany deserve after thoroughly dominating the first 45 minutes. Norway have shown glimpses of danger on the break but will have to produce something very special to get back into this game.

45' - Norway 0-2 Germany

A lovely team move around the edge of the area ends with Müller flicking a clever pass into Joshua Kimmich's path. The youngster scampers into the right side of the box and drives a well-placed shot low into the far corner for his first-ever senior international goal.

37' - Norway 0-1 Germany

You know you've arrived when your name gets turned into a verb...

29' - Norway 0-1 Germany

Cometh the hour...

24' - Norway 0-1 Germany

A scary moment for Germany as the ball comes loose to Norway's Josh King, who is unmarked just outside the penalty area. He unleashes a fierce drive that flies just over the bar.

15' Norway 0-1 Germany

A goal had been coming and finally the visitors' pressure pays off. Norway struggle to clear the ball as it bounces around in the box, and it's Bayern's Thomas Müller who reacts quickest to prod in from close range.

8' - Norway 0-0 Germany

First real chance of the night for the visitors as Julian Draxler swings in an excellent first-time cross from the left, but Thomas Müller's glancing header drifts wide of the far post.

5' - Norway 0-0 Germany

So far the match is panning out as you might expect, with Germany dominating possession and pegging Norway back into their own half.

Kick-off!

Norway, clad in their traditional red shirts, get the ball rolling!

20:25 - Warm-up underway

20:21 - Goals guaranteed

At least one goal has always been scored in the 20 matches between Germany and Norway so far – the fixture has never produced a goalless draw.

20:08 - Ever-present Hector

20:03 - Top Norwegian goals

Some cracking pre-match viewing here, with a look at the best goals scored by Norwegian players in the Bundesliga over the years.

19:51 - Pitch inspection

Germany have arrived at the stadium and have been getting a feel for the pitch...

- © imago / Jan Huebner

19:42 - Norway line-up!

The hosts start with Hertha Berlin's Rune Jarstein in goal, while former Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Havard Nordtveit is also in the first XI.

- © gettyimages

19:30 - Germany line-up!

19:28 - Sneak peak in the changing room

- © gettyimages / Alexander Hassenstein

19:27 - Record for Löw

This match is coach Joachim Löw's 139th game in charge of Germany, pulling him level with Helmut Schön in the country's all-time list. Only Sepp Herberger (168) has a greater record in that regard.

19:15 - Lahm offers his support

Bayern legend and former national team captain Philipp Lahm has tweeted out his support for Germany this evening, saying: "After the European Championship, it's back to serious business today. Good luck for the start of World Cup qualifying #NORGER."

19:00 - The stage is set

"The Ullevaal-Stadion is Oslo is ready for #NORGER. Are you?"

18:45 - Skjelbred wary

There could be a familiar face the Norway line-up for Germany's Bundesliga stars, as Hertha Berlin midfielder Per Skjelbred is hoping to start for the hosts after struggling with a knock.  The 29-year-old issued a word of warning to his team-mates, should any be needed: "We know that Germany are outstanding, regardless of who plays. I hope we can cause them some problems, though. We're very motivated to do so."

18:20 - Head to head

History is on Germany's side going into this fixture. The teams have met 20 times previously, with die Nationalmannschaft recording 13 victories, five draws and just two defeats to date. Germany have never lost in Norway in ten outings, but they did suffer a 1-0 reverse in the most recent encounter on 11 February 2009 in Düsseldorf.

17:50 - The Neuer era

This game marks a new chapter for Germany, now that FC Bayern München goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been named team captain following Bastian Schweinsteiger's retirement from international football. Neuer is only the second keeper after Oliver Kahn to be permanent captain of Germany. Click here for more on the 30-year-old taking on the skipper's armband.

15:33 - Full squad

Coach Joachim Löw has all 19 players fit and ready for selection after VfL Wolfsburg attacker Julian Draxler recovered from a bout of the flu to train with the rest of the team.

14:21 - Germany to play in away kit