Germany dominated their match against the Faroe Islands, though only managed to score three goals against a defensively stubborn opposition. It leaves them five points clear of Sweden at the top of Group C, and able to clinch promotion with a win against the Republic of Ireland next month.
Faroe Islands vs. Germany: Final score 0-3, Germany defeat stubborn Faroese
It wasn’t as comfortable a scoreline as was expected, but Germany have defeated the Faroe Islands, 3-0.
Dennis Grombkowski
The German onslaught started inside five minutes, when Sami Khedira fired wide of the far post from inside the area, before Mesut Özil's low cross from the left was diverted up onto the crossbar. A quick counterattack from the hosts saw Manuel Neuer called into action for the first -- and pretty much only -- time in the first half, with Pol Johannus Justinussen's speculative effort requiring a tip over the bar.
There were gaping holes in the Faroe Islands defence, and only a one-on-one save on Miroslav Klose kept the scores level after 11 minutes. Playing as Germany's main central striker, Klose had several chances to break the deadlock throughout the first half, and hit the post after 22 minutes from a low cross from the right.
Eventually the mystical force protecting the Faroe Islands goal was dispelled, after a corner flicked on by Jerome Boateng was met by Per Mertesacker. The defender bundled the ball over the line in unorthodox fashion, and Germany finally had their deserved advantage. They continued their siege for the rest of the half, with a long-range dipping shot from Klose parried away by his nemesis Gunnar Nielsen.
Despite the German domination, the Faroe Islands managed to keep the deficit down to a respectable one goal by the halftime whistle, and it stayed that way for most of the second half. Defending with 10 men behind the ball, Germany struggled to break through, with Julian Draxler, Khedira and Özil all squandering half-chances.
It took a penalty with just over 15 minutes remaining before the visitors finally managed to kill the game off. It was telling that the chance came on a rare German counterattack, when they managed to catch the Faroese defence high up the pitch. Thomas Müller slipped in behind and was brought down when clean through by Atli Gregersen. The defender was promptly sent off, and Özil converted from the spot.
Germany added a third soon after, when Müller poked in from inside the area. That was how the game ended, with Neuer barely tested at all throughout the 90 minutes. However, the islanders managed to keep the score down to a respectable 3-0 with just 10 men, and won’t be too unhappy.
Faroe Islands: Gunnar Nielsen; Viljormur Davidsen, Rogvi Baldvinsson, Atli Gregersen, Johan Davidsen; Pol Johannus Justinussen, Suni Olsen, Frodhi Benjaminsen, Christian Holst (Hallur Hansson 76’), Daniel Udsen (Christian Mouritsen 68’); Joan Simun Edmundsson (Pall Klettskard 68’)
Red cards: Gregersen (73’)
Germany: Manuel Neuer; Marcel Schmelzer, Per Mertesacker, Jerome Boateng, Philipp Lahm; Mesut Özil, Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos; Julian Draxler (André Schürrle 75'), Miroslav Klose (Max Kruse 79'), Thomas Müller (Sidney Sam 84')
Goals: Mertesacker (22’), Özil (pen 74’), Müller (84’)
More in Soccer:
See More:
