Germany were victorious in their fifth qualifying match for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The reigning World Champions beat Azerbaijan 4-1 in Baku with the goals coming from André Schürrle (2), Thomas Müller and Mario Gomez.
Germany controlled the game from the outset at the sold-out Tofig Bakhramov stadium. However, it took 15 minutes for the first shot on goal to arrive, when Jonas Hector had a shot from distance. Four minutes later, the Germans found a way past Kamran Agajew in the Azerbaijan goal as Hector fed André Schürrle with a perfectly weighted ball across the boy and the attacker made it 1-0 from close range in the 19th minute. A few minutes later, Joshua Kimmich was denied by a good reaction from Agajew.
Müller and Gomez restore the Germany lead
The hosts claimed an unexpected equaliser in the 31st minute, taking advantage of some sloppy play in the Germany midfield to launch a quick counterattack, which culminated in a precise finish from 2. Bundesliga side Erzgebirge Aue’s Dimitri Nasarow beyond Bernd Leno. The goal ended Germany’s run of 678 minutes without conceding – a record in Die Mannschaft’s history. The World Champions were back ahead within five minutes, as Müller latched onto a perfect through ball from Schürrle to confidently round the stranded goalkeeper and tuck the ball in. The lead was extended to two goals on the stroke of half time when Mario Gomez sent a towering header into the top corner from Kimmich’s precise cross.
The game slowed down somewhat after the break. The Germans were in control and created a few further chances, while the home team looked for further opportunities to launch counters. Schürrle went close in the 51st minute, only to have his effort blocked, and again almost scored just before the hour mark, but his shot was deflected wide.
Azerbaijan continued to attack, but without any real threat to Leno’s goal. Some of the tempo did go out of Germany’s game towards the end of the match. Sami Khedira came close to extending the Germans‘ lead in the 76th minute, bevor Schürrle put the game to bed with a shot from 14 yards which flew past the keeper in the 81st minute and the game finished 4-1 to Germany.
Germany were victorious in their fifth qualifying match for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The reigning World Champions beat Azerbaijan 4-1 in Baku with the goals coming from André Schürrle (2), Thomas Müller and Mario Gomez.
Germany controlled the game from the outset at the sold-out Tofig Bakhramov stadium. However, it took 15 minutes for the first shot on goal to arrive, when Jonas Hector had a shot from distance. Four minutes later, the Germans found a way past Kamran Agajew in the Azerbaijan goal as Hector fed André Schürrle with a perfectly weighted ball across the boy and the attacker made it 1-0 from close range in the 19th minute. A few minutes later, Joshua Kimmich was denied by a good reaction from Agajew.
Müller and Gomez restore the Germany lead
The hosts claimed an unexpected equaliser in the 31st minute, taking advantage of some sloppy play in the Germany midfield to launch a quick counterattack, which culminated in a precise finish from 2. Bundesliga side Erzgebirge Aue’s Dimitri Nasarow beyond Bernd Leno. The goal ended Germany’s run of 678 minutes without conceding – a record in Die Mannschaft’s history. The World Champions were back ahead within five minutes, as Müller latched onto a perfect through ball from Schürrle to confidently round the stranded goalkeeper and tuck the ball in. The lead was extended to two goals on the stroke of half time when Mario Gomez sent a towering header into the top corner from Kimmich’s precise cross.
The game slowed down somewhat after the break. The Germans were in control and created a few further chances, while the home team looked for further opportunities to launch counters. Schürrle went close in the 51st minute, only to have his effort blocked, and again almost scored just before the hour mark, but his shot was deflected wide.
Azerbaijan continued to attack, but without any real threat to Leno’s goal. Some of the tempo did go out of Germany’s game towards the end of the match. Sami Khedira came close to extending the Germans‘ lead in the 76th minute, bevor Schürrle put the game to bed with a shot from 14 yards which flew past the keeper in the 81st minute and the game finished 4-1 to Germany.
