Confident Germany cruise past Czech Republic
Germany followed up their 3-0 FIFA World Cup qualifying triumph against Norway by dismantling the Czech Republic by the same scoreline in a dominant win for the hosts in Hamburg on Saturday evening.
Goals: 1-0 Müller (13'), 2-0 Kroos (49'), 3-0 Müller (65')
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Thomas Müller scored Germany's opening goal in their 3-0 qualifying win against Norway last month and the FC Bayern München forward made sure the world champions hit the front again in Hamburg. Following a swift counter-attacking move started by Mats Hummels, Mesut Özil exchanged passes with Mario Götze before the Arsenal FC midfielder teed up Müller to side-foot home his 35th international goal. The hosts' previous encounter against the Czechs ended in a 3-0 home reverse in 2007 – Germany's heaviest defeat under coach Joachim Löw. There appeared little danger of a similar setback for die Nationalmannschaft at the Volksparkstadion, however, with Julian Draxler and then Götze going close to doubling a dominant Germany's lead.
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Taking charge of his 140th game for Germany, Löw looked on in glee as his added to their advantage shortly after the restart, Toni Kroos sweeping past goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik from distance following some good work by the in-form Joshua Kimmich. Their confidence now soaring, the home side were out of sight on 65 minutes with Müller registering a second double in successive qualifiers after connecting with Jonas Hector's centre. The Czechs had their chances – most notably when Manuel Neuer denied Borek Dockal with a fine save – but it was a night to celebrate for the hosts who next face Northern Ireland in Hanover on Tuesday.
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Talking Point
Now on 140 games, Löw is catching up with all-time leading tactician Helmut Schön's 168 encounters in charge and the 56-year-old has this current Germany side purring as they chase automatic qualification for the 2018 finals in Russia.
Match stats
- Germany have yet to concede in FIFA World Cup qualifying Group C. Müller has scored four of his team's six qualifying goals to date.Kroos's second-half goal was his 12th for Germany.
Line-ups
Germany: Neuer (c) - Kimmich, Boateng, Hummels, Hector (Höwedes 68') - Khedira, Kroos (Gündogan 76') - Müller, Özil, Draxler (Brandt 80') - Götze
Coach: Joachim Löw
Czech Republic: Vaclik - Kaderabek, Sivok, Suchy (c), Novak - Horava, Pavelka (Droppa 63') - Petrzela (Skalak 69'), Dockal, Krejci - Vydra (Kadlec 76')
Coach: Karel Jarolim