Germany maintains winning streak in World Cup qualifiers

The world champions showed their strength when they crushed Azerbaijan 4-1 with two goals from Andre Schurrle.

Goals: Nazarov 31' - Schuerrle 19' 81', Muller 36', Gomez 45'.

This victory helps Joachim Low's team maintain a perfect record in five matches played in Group C, the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in Europe. Germany has scored 20 goals against their opponents and the goal conceded in Azerbaijan was the first time they have conceded.

Joachim Low replaced Mesut Ozil with Andre Schurrle due to the Arsenal midfielder's injury. His trust was rewarded as Schurrle scored twice and assisted Thomas Muller's goal.

Going into this match, Azerbaijan shared second place in the group with Northern Ireland. The home team did not actively defend, they still tried to threaten the goal of the world champions.

Germany continues to demonstrate its superiority in Group C. Photo: Reuters.

However, the German team worked like a well-oiled machine, as shown by the opening goal from Mats Hummels on the home field. After four passes, the ball reached Schurrle in a one-on-one position with the goalkeeper, less than 5m from goal.

Azerbaijan can be proud of being the first team to score against Germany in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. In an attack-minded move, the away team's defenders left the left wing open, creating space for Dimitrij Nazarov to adjust the ball and then curl the ball past goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

However, it took Germany just five minutes to regain the lead. As Azerbaijan pushed forward on the counter-attack, Afran Ismayilov hesitated and allowed Schurrle to steal the ball. The Dortmund striker then delivered a pass with great tactical vision, enough for Muller to dribble past the Azerbaijan goalkeeper and score.

The home team played hard and were rewarded with a goal against the world champions. Photo: Reuters.

At the end of the first half, Germany increased the gap after a simple cross and header. Joshua Kimmich assisted striker Mario Gomez to score.

Azerbaijan fought hard to find another goal. In addition to the goal, Nazarov had two chances. In the second half, the player who plays in the German second division forced goalkeeper Bernd Leno to show his talent to save the goal.

Overall, however, Germany played a leisurely game with plenty of chances created. Joachim Low brought on Mesut Ozil in the final 30 minutes and the Arsenal midfielder started the move that led to the winner. Ozil passed the ball to Toni Kroos and then to Hector before it was slotted into the net by Schurrle, a combination that looked like a training run from the visitors.

According to VNE