Highlights: Thomas Muller brace gives Germany 3-2 win over Scotland in Euro 2016 qualifier
Germany beat Scotland 3-2 to come away with three points in their Euro 2016 Group D qualifier at Hampden Park in Glasgow on Monday night. Thomas Muller grabbed a first-half brace while Ilkay Gundogan scored the eventual winner in the second half.
Die Mannschaft are top of Group D with 19 points from eight games while Poland are second with 17 points. Meanwhile, Scotland’s chances of even making the playoffs is under threat as they sit four points behind Republic of Ireland who currently occupy third place with 15 points.
Muller gave Germany the lead in the 18th minute when his shot was deflected off a defender and past Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall. The Bayern Munich forward was under pressure and took a chance with a shot that didn’t have enough power, but the deflection was enough to beat Marshall who had the initial shot covered.
But Scotland equalized soon after in the 28th minute when Shaun Maloney took a free kick from the left flank. The ball was whipped in low and Manuel Neuer could only palm it away after an awkward bounce. Unfortunately, it went straight to Mats Hummels two feet away who couldn’t react in time as the ball bounced off his chest and into the goal.
The World Cup champions went back in front in the 34th minute when Muller got on the scoresheet again. This time, it was a header from close range after a nice build-up that saw the 25-year-old grab his second of the night when Marshall spilled the first effort from Emre Can. The ball was cleared by a defender but it had already crossed the goal line.
However, James McArthur drew Scotland level two minutes from half-time - again from another set-piece. A side-footed shot from the edge of the box from a corner kick saw him beat Manuel Neuer who was wrong-footed. The Bayern goalkeeper was moving to his left when he realized too late that the ball was fired on target but to his right. Appeals for an offside were rejected as Neuer claimed his vision was impeded by a Scottish player standing in front of him.
But it was Germany who had the last laugh as Gundogan and Muller combined with a neat one-two to allow the Borussia Dortmund midfielder to score. It was Muller’s run and incisive pass that made the goal possible.
With two goals and an assist, it was the German forward who walked away with the Man of the Match award.