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Sweden national football team
World Cup | Qualifiers
Oct 15, 2013 at 7.45pm UK
 
Germany national football team

3-5

Hysen (6', 69'), Kacaniklic (42')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Ozil (44'), Gotze (53'), Schurrle (57', 66', 76')

Live Commentary: Sweden 3-5 Germany - as it happened

Live text commentary as Sweden took on Germany in the final World Cup qualifier in Group C, with the visitors winning 5-3.
2

Germany ensured that they remained unbeaten in Group C with a thrilling 5-3 win over Sweden having been 2-0 down.

Sweden took their two clear chances really well through Tobias Hysen and Alex Kacaniklic, before Mesut Ozil netted just before the break.

In the second half it was one-way traffic with Germany scoring four, including a hat-trick from Andre Schurrle, with Hysen grabbing his second for the hosts.

Read how the action unfolded below with our live text commentary.


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Hello all. Thanks for joining me tonight for the final round of Group C - not that this game matters anymore. It would have been an exciting decider, but even so Sweden will want to perform well ahead of the playoffs.

It was looking like being a close-run thing for tonight's hosts but they did everything that was required of them on Friday. They went behind, which would have made tonight a must-win, but turned it around and are now through as runners-up. They do not yet know their opponents.

Germany have been magnificent throughout, aside from that second-half blip last October against tonight's opponents. The 4-4 draw is the only time that they have dropped points and they will certainly be one of the hot favourites in Brazil.

The teams are in, so I'll bring that right over to you. No rest for the wicked, it seems - Joachim Low has picked a very strong side indeed.

SWEDEN XI: Wiland; Bengtsson, Nilsson, Antonsson, Olsson; Larsson, Elm, Kallstrom, Kacaniklic; Hysen, Toivonen

GERMANY XI: Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Hummels, Jansen; Kroos, Schweinsteiger; Muller, Ozil, Schurrle; Kruse

Just under 10 minutes to play then. Both sides are at near full-strength so we should still get some good football. It's a particularly big night for Max Kruse who has a real chance to get himself in the reckoning for a starting berth for the World Cup. With Mario Gomez out of favour and Miroslav Klose getting on there is a need for a striker to step up.

A look at the odds tells us that Germany are still heavy favourites despite their qualification. Sweden are as short as 5/1 while you will only get odds-on for Germany. My prediction is 2-0 to Germany - they just look so strong.

We're just set for kickoff now. I have a keen eye on both Kruse and Andre Schurrle tonight - it's a big chance for the Chelsea man to impress as well.

KICKOFF: The Germans in their typical white and black, get us started tonight.

Almost an early chance their for Tobias Hysen who looked to latch on to an underhit backpass, but Manuel Neuer was out quickly. He's one of the better goalkeepers in world football at coming off his line. Germany are seeing a lot of the ball but Sweden already are showing that they have a threat on the break.

Good run from Schurrle down the left. He wants a free kick as he looks to have been caught by Larsson, but the winger has got away with that, no free kick. Schweinsteiger looks to drive one from outside the box but it's wide of the far post.

GOAL! Sweden 1-0 Germany (Tobias Hysen)

Well that's a superb goal! Hysen beats the offside trap after Toivonen found Larsson, who threaded a ball through right into the striker's path. He had a lot of time and finished well under Neuer to give Sweden the lead - great goal.

That pass from Larsson really cannot be understated - it was very difficult. It's quite route one at the moment from Sweden but they are still looking threatening as Johan Wiland's ball to Toivonen sees the forward just offside.

Germany get their longest spell of possession of the game here, but Sweden have almost everyone back and there is no way through. In the end Muller plays a one-two with Lahm but the former's cross is over the head of Schurrle at the back post.

OFF THE BAR! Muller brings Germany within a couple of inches of being level. The free kick was whipped in deep and he beat Wiland but saw his header come back off the bar.

Lahm escapes a booking for a foul on Olsson by virtue that it was his first foul I'm sure. Later in the game that's a definite yellow. It gives Sweden the chance to cross but Larsson's cross goes beyond everyone and out for a goal kick.

Germany have not been nearly as fluid as we have become used to in recent years. It is probably a combination of having already qualified and the couple of unfamiliar faces. Kruse up front has been very quiet so far.

Sweden have done really well so far to limit the space that Germany have had to play in. The front four have rotated a lot for the visitors but are being allowed to play wide, which has seen them threaten rarely so far. Sweden have a clear game plan.

Again Sweden let Lahm through on the overlap. His cross is blocked and it falls to Kruse who is quickly closed down. Schurrle finds Jansen down the left with a neat back-heel but his cross is blocked and nothing comes from the corner.

Sweden are ahead and really they're deserving of their lead too. Germany have hit the bar through Muller, but Hysen's goal was by far and away the best chance of the match so far. Germany are really struggling to break through this very well drilled Swedish outfit.

Alex Kacaniklic has looked to run at his man at every opportunity, but unfortunately from his point of view that man is Lahm. He's a clear outlet on the left for the hosts, though, and I imagine he will find some space at some point.

BOOKING: Martin Olsson is the first man in the book and he can have no complaints whatsoever for his late slide on Kruse. In attack Jansen wants too much time on the left in the box and Bengtsson nicks it from him in the end.

Schurrle cuts on to his right and whips in a cross but Wiland is out well to claim. Kacaniklic is then robbed of the ball but Kruse's shot from outside the box is blocked. The pressure is starting to build.

BOOKING: Schurrle is booked for diving right in front of the referee. There might have been the slightest bit of contact on the Chelsea man, but he was looking for it and went down theatrically. Right decision for me.

Very ambitious effort from Schweinsteiger there, who looked to clip it into the far top corner from about 30 yards. It goes over, however. Sweden are still holding up strongly despite this beginning of an onslaught from the Germans.

The passes still aren't as fluid as the usually are for the Germans. They still are not forcing the issue however - if one attack doesn't end with a chance they go back to the centre-backs. Schweinsteiger against tries to clip into the corner but gets underneath it.

Kruse is roaming all over the pitch to get the ball, just as he does for Gladbach. However, it is leaving the Germans without an outlet for the cross as Bengtsson heads Muller's cross behind with no pressure on him.

GOAL! Sweden 2-0 Germany (Alex Kacaniklic)

I thought Kaca would earn himself a bit of space tonight and he has just proven it. It's Boateng who plays him on as he drops off Lahm and the Fulham man drills his effort low past Neuer for the second. A really good finish.

GOAL! Sweden 2-1 Germany (Mesut Ozil)

Ozil bags his 17th goal for his country and that's a really good finish. Great time for the goal as well. The ball is deflected into his path off Kruse I think and Ozil sweeps it into the far bottom corner with his weaker foot. Germany are not out of this yet!

Ozil bags his 17th goal for his country and that's a really good finish. Great time for the goal - the ball is deflected into his path off Kruse I think and Ozil sweeps it into the far bottom corner with his weaker foot. Germany are not out of this yet!

HALF-TIME: Sweden 2-1 Germany

That was a really good half of football. Germany have dominated the possession as expected but the two best chances of the game have both fallen to Sweden - and they have made the most of it to lead 2-1 at the break.

So far the players in the team for Low to track their progress - namely Schurrle and Kruse - have failed to impress. The flow has not quite been there, not through lack of effort but it is clear that this is not a full-strength Germany side. That said, they will be disappointed their possession has not led to more chances.

I wouldn't be surprised to see some changes at the break from Low. Sweden will be more than happy and will look to continue to be tight. There was one slip up near the end which led to the German goal - although there was a bit of fortune for Ozil who saw the ball deflected into his path.

The players are coming back out for the second half. I can't see any new faces at the moment but will let you know.

KICKOFF: In fact there was a change. Mario Gotze came on at the break for Muller. That might see Ozil switch to the right with Gotze playing centrally. The hosts get us back underway.

Germany straight on to the attack with Lahm getting into the box down the right. His cross is cut out but the ball is only partially cleared. The Germans come again through Schurrle and then Gotze, whose effort is blocked for a corner.

Schurrle cuts inside once more and this time goes for goal from about 25 yards, but his effort is right down the throat of Wiland - wasteful.

Sweden look to break with Kacaniklic turning into space beyond two defenders, however Hysen is then crowded out and the white shirts get back on the ball.

GOAL! Sweden 2-2 Germany (Mario Gotze)

That's a fine finish from Gotze - his sixth for Germany. Ozil does well on the right side of the box to cut in and then poke the ball across to Gotze, who sweeps it into the top corner from a central position. Germany are level and will surely go on to win this.

The play is all in Sweden's half now, with everyone but Neuer camped there. Germany are zipping it about and finding acres of space all of a sudden. A flowing move in the end is cut out as Gotze's pass to Ozil is just too short.

GOAL! Sweden 2-3 Germany (Andre Schurrle)

It's a free-for-all now. That goal has to go down as a mistake from Nilsson, who passed it straight to the Chelsea man. Bengtsson tried his best to stop him with a tackle in the box, but it fell kindly for Schurrle to roll his side in front.

It's a free-for-all now. That goal has to go down as a mistake from Nilsson, who passed it straight to the Chelsea man. Bengtsson tried his best to stop him with a tackle in the box, but it fell kindly for Schurrle to roll his side in front.

It's a free-for-all now. That goal has to go down as a mistake from Nilsson, who passed it straight to the Chelsea man. Bengtsson tried his best to stop him with a tackle in the box, but it fell kindly for Schurrle to roll his side in front.

BOOKING: Still Germany come forward. Ozil tries to find Lahm down the right, but the captain is just not quick enough to reach it. Sweden then break and Toivonen wins a free kick, which sees Hummels booked after Schweinsteiger’s poor pass.

It was in quite a dangerous spot, but Kallstrom's strike is straight at the wall. Germany look to break but Sweden are back quickly and force them back to Hummels. Can Sweden get another chance in this one?

GOAL! Sweden 2-4 Germany (Andre Schurrle)?

Germany's pressing paid off there. Antonsson is robbed, before Gotze plays in Schurrle on the left side of the box and he carbon-copies his previous finish to put Germany 4-2 up. Sweden came back from 4-0 down last year, so I won't claim this is over just yet...

GOAL! Sweden 3-4 Germany (Hysen)

That is a marvellous finish from Hysen! He just beats the offside trap from a free kick on the left and catches his finish full on the volley to pull a goal back! We're not in for another 4-4, surely?!

So that's 15 goals between these two sides in their two qualifiers so far. Am I being greedy if I want 16? With just under 20 minutes there's plenty of time for more as well considering how the sides are defending.

SWEDEN SUB: Another change for Sweden as the lively Kacaniklic comes off Jimmy Durmaz.

Back on the pitch Neuer claims a free kick really well that was hit hard and bounced right in front of him. He hung on even though it smacked him in the face.

No further goals yet, I can't quite believe it. The Swedish crowd are getting lively as they anticipate another equaliser - there's no Zlatan Ibrahimovic to inspire them this time, however.

GOAL! Sweden 3-5 Germany (Andre Schurrle))

Schurrle completes his hat-trick! And that one is the best of the bunch! It's a flowing counter-attack and the Chelsea man this time goes for goal from 25 yards out at the corner of the box. Wiland doesn't move as it whips into the corner above his head - what a strike.

BOOKING: Benedikt Howedes goes into the box for a late lunge - no complaints at all from him, but nothing comes from the free kick.

GERMANY SUB: Ok, I'll say it. Germany have wrapped this up... Worrying scenes for Arsenal fans as Ozil is coming off on his birthday after picking up a knock. Julian Draxler comes on for him.

SAVE! That's a strong stop from Neuer to parry away a shot from Hysen. It came back to the striker via a deflection and he turned it in, but he was offside. Off comes Toivonen for Pontus Wernbloom.

That's a really good cross from Jansen there wide on the left. However, there's no-one in the box to turn it in because, well, they don't really need to bust a gut to get there.

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but another goal is not looking likely! Disgraceful from the players who are slowing the pace down in the closing minutes.

We move into injury time then as Germany continue to keep the ball among the midfield and defence.

FULL-TIME: Sweden 3-5 Germany

There we have it. Schurrle - who I said had not performed in the first half - came out after the break to hit a hat-trick. Germany come from 2-0 down to win 5-3. Goals, goals, goals - let's hope that continues into the World Cup.

That's all from me for this one. Germany top the group and remain unbeaten. Be sure to check the site for all the reports and reaction from tonight's qualifiers. Goodbye.

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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Netherlands Netherlands32107
Q Senegal flag Senegal32016
3 Ecuador flag Ecuador31114
4 Qatar Qatar30030

Group B

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Q England flag England32107
Q United States USA31205
3 Iran Iran31023
4 Wales flag Wales30121

Group C

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Q Argentina Argentina32016
Q Poland Poland31114
3 Mexico Mexico31114
4 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia31023

Group D

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Q France France32016
Q Australia Australia32016
3 Tunisia Tunisia31114
4 Denmark Denmark30121

Group E

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Q Japan Japan32016
Q Spain Spain31114
3 Germany Germany31114
4 Costa Rica flag Costa Rica31023

Group F

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Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q Croatia Croatia31205
3 Belgium Belgium31114
4 Canada Canada30030

Group G

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Q Brazil Brazil32016
Q Switzerland Switzerland32016
3 Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Serbia Serbia30121

Group H

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Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Republic of Korea South Korea31114
3 Uruguay flag Uruguay31114
4 Ghana flag Ghana31023


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