Germany scorch past Scotland after Mueller's double
Mueller ensured Germany won their first competitive fixture since the World Cup
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-09-09 01:51 GMT
Paris: A goal in each half from Bayern Munich attacker Thomas Mueller ensured Germany won their first competitive fixture since the World Cup.
Scotland were rewarded for a positive second-half approach when winger Ikechi Anya raced clear to equalise on 66 minutes. But the visitors failed to clear a corner four minutes later and Mueller capitalised to thump home his 24th international goal.
Mueller’s winner denied Gordon Strachan’s side what would have been a precious point in a group that also includes the Republic of Ireland, Poland, Georgia and Gibraltar.The result means Germany have now gone 33 World Cup and European Championship qualifying games without defeat.
Albania humble Portugal
Albania pulled off a major shock by downing Portugal as world champions Germany denied battling Scotland and minnows Gibraltar were demolished by Poland in the opening salvoes of Euro 2016 qualifying.
Portugal, first round casualties at the World Cup, were sorely missing their skipper Cristiano Ronaldo but despite the Real Madrid star’s absence the 1-0 loss to a team ranked 71st in the world was a major embarrassment for Paulo Bento’s side.
Albania, who have failed to qualify for a European Champi-onships in half a century, humbled the mighty Portuguese in their own back yard.
Slavia Prague’s Bekim Balaj struck the killer blow shortly after the restart, with the home side walking off the pitch in Aveiro at the final whistle to boos from their supporters.