Germany took on rivals Austria in Group C of the World Cup qualifying and cruised to a 3-0 win at the Allianz Arena.
Austria threatened on the break in the first half, but Germany were too strong as Miroslav Klose equalled Gerd Muller's goalscoring record of 68.
In the second half Germany were in complete control and added two more through Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller late on.
Read how the action unfolded below.
Hello football fans! Thanks for joining me tonight for what is always a good contest - Germany vs. Austria. International week brings us some World Cup qualifying action.
Before I get into the nitty gritty, I have the team news in. A quick spoiler before the full teams, though: two Arsenal players are starting for Germany.
GERMANY XI: Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Mertesacker, Schmelzer; Khedira, Kroos; Muller, Ozil, Reus; Klose
AUSTRIA XI: Almer; Garics, Dragovic, Pogatetz, Fuchs; Alaba, Kavlak; Harnik, Ivanschitz, Arnautovic; Weimann
The big news here is that Philipp Lahm, of course, starts to make his 100th appearance for his country. At 29, that's quite a feat and he has a few years to go yet. The two Arsenal players are Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil, with Miroslav Klose up front. Speaking of high numbers of caps - this is Klose's 129th.
There are some really good players as well in that Austrian team, so this is not a certainty by any means. David Alaba will play in midfield as he does for them, but the big threat is from that attacking three behind Andreas Weimann. Martin Harnik, Andreas Ivanschitz and Marko Arnautovic are all fine Bundesliga players.
So with just over five minutes until kickoff, let's take a look at the odds. Germany are the heavy favourites today at 2/9, with Austria some way back at 12/1. I still think Austria have something about them, particularly against a Germany defence that has conceded nine in three.
It's a packed Allianz arena as the pre-match pleasantries are done. Anthems to come. It really is a fantastic stadium this.
Here we are then, the players are about ready for kickoff. The coin toss is done and Germany will get us underway...
KICKOFF: Here we go! Can Germany put their defensive woes behind them and continue their march to the World Cup?
Lahm gets his first touch, which is a neat turn to draw a foul from Ivanschitz. Neither side has passed too well early on here.
Weimann is nearly away with Ivanschitz prodding through to him. Neuer is out well to clear but the flag was up for offside. Emanuel Pogatetz looks to get on a free kick from Fuchs, but his header ends up well wide - Austria have started well.
There's the first shot from a man in white, and it's Toni Kroos from range. He takes a touch to steady himself and shoots with his weaker left foot, but it's harmlessly over the bar. There hasn't been a lot from Klose, Ozil, Muller or Reus just yet.
Germany have managed to settle the game down after that early spell of pressure from the Austrians. They're passing it neatly around the back now with typical patience.
CLOSE! Kroos gets another small sight of goal. Ozil is involved for the first time, shaping to shoot but instead passing to Kroos, but the Bayern man's shot is blocked and it goes through to Almer. Then Sami Khedira goes for goal from an angle and curls his effort not far wide.
Harnik drives forward in a rare Austria attack, but Arnautovic was a bit lazy and was offside. No matter, though, as Harnik's prod through was blocked.
Absolutely thunderous challenge from Khedira, which leaves Arnautovic in a heap. It looked bad because Arnautovic tried a little turn as Khedira flew in which sent him sprawling - good decision not to give a free kick though.
It's a little bit tasty in that midfield, as is expected from this rivals battle. Kavlak ended up worse in an aerial battle with Kroos this time. Germany winning the physical battle so far.
Germany win a free kick about 40 yards out, which Reus steps over. He's been quiet so far the Borussia Dortmund man, and his effort goes right down the throat of Alber - poor.
Austria have done a good job of nullifying the attacking threat of Germany so far. Aside from a couple of shots from range, the hosts have created next to nothing.
It's still Germany doing most of the pressing however, with Austria more dangerous on the break. Mertesacker pulls Harnik to give away a fre kick, and Austria give it away to Klose. Muller crosses to Ozil, who strikes over from the edge of the box - should have done better really.
Another threat from a set piece for the visitors, but Neuer is up big to gather. Excellent goalkeeping.
SAVE! It's a save, but it should be a goal! Klose should be level with Gerd Muller! Schmelzer drives down the left, with Ozil also involved. The first effort is cleared into the air, with Klose heading towards goal - but Almer is back to tip over.
Schmelzer is coming into the game more and more. He tries to find Ozil with a deep cross there, but it's just too long for the Arsenal man.
GOAL! Germany 1-0 Austria (Miroslav Klose)
That is the sort of goal that he has scored so many of throughout his career. Most of the credit must go to Muller on the right, who whipped in a low cross that was either being turned in by Klose or a defender. It's Klose's 68th for Germany - what a player he has been.
BOOKING: They haven't been at their best, but Germany do deserve to be leading. Weimann is penalised for a foul and is booked for his reaction.
Bit risky there from Garics, who pips in front of Klose following an Ozil ball over the box and fires it back to his keeper, who can only clear behind his own goal. He then gathers the corner - he has played well, Almer.
Germany look happy to play out the rest of this half. They are passing well and patiently among the back line. Kavlak brings down Reus a little spitefully on the Germany left but escapes a booking.
So into the final few moments of the half and Germany do deserve to be ahead, but it has not been a classic! I don't think we'll get another goal before the break.
CLOSE! Great effort from centre-back Dragovic, who half-volleys from 30 yards following a corner. It's heading into the top corner, but Neuer claims well. Great strike.
HALF-TIME: Germany 1-0 Austria
It's been both scrappy and feisty, but Germany just about deserve their lead. They have certainly had the better chances, but have not been dominant by any means.
If you refresh your browser, you will now see a lovely picture of Mr Klose celebrating his 68th goal for Germany. Another in the second half would see him outright hold the record - and he certainly missed a good chance before he did score in the end. Here it is too for good measure:
© Getty Images
The hosts have 61% of the possession, and are leading in corners and attempts at goal. However, all the while it stays 1-0 Austria do have the pace up front to threaten. Germany will want an early second goal.
We're nearly ready for the second half. I'll bring any news of substitutions, but I don't expect any at the break. I'm usually wrong about that, though.
KICKOFF: We're back underway!
CHANCE! Big chance for Austria. Alaba strides forward and plays Weimann through, but he blazes over the bar when well placed. You have to do better from there.
Another half-chance for Austria. Dragovic plays Harnik in down the right and he in turn finds Kavlak, whose shot is well wide.
Benedikt Howedes, by the way, is on for Schmelzer this half - presumably the left-back took a knock.
GOAL! Germany 2-0 Austria (Toni Kroos)
Wow. Now that is how you respond to pressure. Reus lays the ball across to Kroos, who lets it run past him before firing it into the far corner off the post. That is as sweet as a strike as you will see tonight.
CHANCE! Muller almost makes it three. Reus plays a delightful backheel in the box to find Muller, but it's slightly in front of him and Almer makes the save at his feet.
SAVE: Almer not quite so good there... Kroos clips the ball towards the top corner from an angle just inside the box and the keeper flaps at it somewhat. From the corner, Ozil finds Klose but he heads just over.
Austria are really getting pinned back now. Crosses are coming in from left and right, which to be fair they have dealt with well so far. At the other end Boateng is forced into action to clear a cross.
BOOKING: Khedira is booked - for nothing really. He jumps with Kavlak, who gets an elbow in the face. There's blood, which might be why the referee has booked Khedira, but he only had eyes for the ball the midfielder.
Austria threaten on the break again and once more Harnik is the outlet down the right. His cross is poor in the end and is easily cut out by Boateng.
Klose is still looking for that goal to surpass Muller, but he found himself in the position to thread Ozil in for 3-0. However his pass was overhit. If those two players were the other way round, it would have been 3-0 I'm almost certain.
CLOSE! Substitute Burgstaller has a shot deflected narrowly wide off Boateng, but that was a very good chance.
There were two changes a moment ago for the Austrians as Burgstaller came on for Ivanschitz and Weimann also made way for Sabitzer. At the other end Muller forces Almer into a smart save down low.
Harnik is still huffing and puffing, but he was a bit slow getting back onside there. He's been the outlet for the entire half but has had a real lack of support on the break.
AUSTRIA SUB: Florian Klein comes on for Garics in what looks to be a like-for-like change at right-back.
BOOKING: Kavlak finally gets on the winning side of a battle. He's booked immediately for his tackle from behind on Kroos, who in fairness doesn't complain. Klose is also booked for his reaction to the tackle.
BOOKING: This is turning nasty now. Pogatetz is the next to go into the book for a late tackle on Klose. Again, no arguments to be had.
GERMANY SUB: Germany's joint-highest goalscorer Klose is coming off to an ovation. Dortmund's Sven Bender replaces him. Meanwhil Klein goes into the book for yet another mistimed tackle. They're sore losers, these Austrians.
Khedira is really doing his bit defensively now. He's so good at anticipating where the ball will go, before getting brought down trying to hold up the play.
GOAL! Germany 3-0 Austria (Thomas Muller
Simple as you like for Germany. Howedes gets forward really well on the overlap to turn it into the path of Muller for a simple tap-in. Out flood the Austrian fans.
We're into injury time now in what has been a procession for the Germans.
GERMANY SUB: Julian Draxler is on now for Reus. What levels of talent this side have.
FULL-TIME: Germany 3-0 Austria
Absolutely no worries for Germany then, as they continue to cruise to the World Cup finals. They didn't have to get out of second gear here and Kroos in particular was magnificent.
Thanks for joining me for this one and please do stick about for the latest results and reaction. Goodbye!
Written by
Matt Domm
Matt Domm
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