Muller has been in superb scoring form off late for both club and country, and was directly involved in all three goals for Germany. PHOTO: REUTERS
GLASGOW: A double by Thomas Muller ensured world champions Germany kept hold of top spot in Group D and moved to the verge of Euro 2016 qualification with a 3-2 defeat of a spirited Scotland side at Hampden Park on Monday.
Muller, who grabbed a double in the corresponding fixture in Dortmund last year, opened the scoring in the 18th minute.
In full flow, the Germans appeared unplayable as Scotland struggled for possession. However, Gordon Strachan’s side claimed a 27th-minute equaliser as the usually reliable Manuel Neuer’s attempted clearance of Shaun Maloney’s free-kick bounced in off defender Mats Hummels.
Muller then headed Germany back in front seven minutes later before James McArthur restored parity for a second time with a sensational strike in the 43rd minute.
The scorer of the first two goals for Germany then turned provider for Ilkay Gundogan to put Germany ahead for the third time in the 54th minute to round up the scoring.
Scotland now face a mammoth task to even claim a play-off place as they trail third-placed Ireland, who defeated Georgia 1-0, by four points with two games remaining.
Poland’s 8-1 demolition of Gibraltar kept the Poles
two points behind Germany in second.
Strachan praised the effort of his players despite the disappointment of having seen their hopes of qualification all but extinguished. “Over the two games, they’ve put in some amount of work,” said Strachan, whose side lost 1-0 to Georgia last Friday. “There is something inside them all that drives them on. They can be proud of their performances.”
German coach Joachim Loew was also proud of his players and felt the win was well deserved. “This match was anything but easy but I think we largely controlled it and the win was well-deserved,” said the World Cup winning coach. “I’m proud to say we’ve taken a big step towards France 2016.”
Lafferty to Ireland’s rescue
Kyle Lafferty’s priceless late equaliser kept Northern Ireland within touching distance of a historic berth at Euro 2016 as the 10-man hosts rescued a 1-1 draw against Hungary.
Michael O’Neill’s side could have secured a first ever appearance at the European Championships with a victory at Windsor Park, but they ended a dramatic encounter relieved to avoid a potentially fatal defeat.
Their berth in next year’s finals in France looked in jeopardy after Michael McGovern’s failure to hold a routine free-kick allowed Hungary’s Richard Guzmics to put Hungary ahead with 16 minutes remaining. To make matters worse, Chris Baird was sent off in the closing stages.
But, displaying the tenacious spirit that has fuelled their unexpected Group F challenge, Ireland equalised deep into stoppage-time through Norwich striker Lafferty’s seventh goal of the qualifying campaign.
“It was nerve wracking to say the least,” said O’Neill. “We dominated the first half but Hungary came into it. It was a mistake for the goal but then we saw true grit. It’s a massive point for us. It wasn’t vintage, but it was pure theatre.”
Lafferty, however, was not celebrating yet. “The fans came here for a party but the champagne is on ice. We have two games left and we need one more push,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2015.
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