Germany clearly felt their numerous major absences in their first Euro 2016 qualifier against Scotland, but they managed to do enough to scrape a home victory to get off to the start they expected. Thomas Müller was at his goal-poaching best, scoring both of his team's goals in a narrow 2-1 victory.
Germany vs. Scotland, Euro 2016 qualifying: Final score 2-1, great effort not quite enough for Scots
Lars Baron
The opening goal came from a brilliant diagonal ball by Sebastian Rudy, though it was poorly defended. Müller got in between two Scotland defenders to get his head to the ball and loop it over the outstretched hand of David Marshall, beating the Scotland goalkeeper to get Germany on the board.
Sensing a bit of a weakness in the Scottish defense, Germany kept attacking in the same manner, with diagonal balls from the wings into Müller and Andre Schürrle. They looked dangerous using that tactic throughout the first half, regularly winning headers, but couldn’t find another goal.
Scotland played much better early in the second half and by the time they earned an equalizer, it was well deserved. Steven Naismith nearly scored just three minutes into the second half, striking the far post after beating a pair of Germany defenders on the edge of the box. Naismith shanked a glorious chance in the 60th minute, then had another shot blocked two minutes after that. Eventually, in the 66th minute, Scotland created their goal.
Mario Götze assisted Scotland in the setup with a bad turnover in midfield. The ball eventually made its way up to Steven Fletcher, who made a perfect turn and pass to Ikechi Anya. The Watford winger surged past the Germany defense and placed a composed finish past Manuel Neuer at the end of a brilliant individual run, pulling his team level at 1-1.
But they were only tied up with Germany for four minutes. A comedy of errors by Scotland on a corner led to Germany's second, with three defenders all failing to make routine clearances. After pinballing around the box for five seconds, the ball eventually fell at the feet of Müller, who finished from 6 yards.
The Scots were aggressive in pushing forward for another equalizer, and perhaps too much so. Charlie Mulgrew picked up a second yellow card in the dying minutes and was sent off. Scotland earned a corner kick in the 94th minute, but the referee wouldn’t let them take it, instead blowing for full time despite their protests.
Germany: Neuer, Durm, Höwedes, Boateng, Rudy, Kramer, Kroos, Schürrle (Podolski 84’), Götze, Reus (Ginter 90’), Müller
Goals: Müller (18’, 70’)
Scotland: Marshall, Whittaker, Martin, Hanley, Hutton, Mulgrew (red 90’), D. Fletcher (McArthur 58’), Bannan (Fletcher 58’), Morrison, Naismith (Maloney 82’), Anya
Goals: Anya (66’)
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