This is the first time Germany have qualified for a World Cup finals with a perfect record and they are unbeaten in their last 16 games. "It would be a mistake to use this qualifying campaign as a benchmark - sure it was good - but the World Cup will be a different matter. "It will be hard to win the World Cup for a second time." Second-half strikes from Hoffenheim striker Sandro Wagner and Chelsea defender Antonio Ruediger, before Goretzka added his second, saw Germany pull away. The World Cup holders lost Julian Draxler before kick-off as the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder dropped out with flu, after Real Madrid star Toni Kroos had already been ruled out with a rib injury.

Source: The Nation Bangkok October 08, 2017 21:22 UTC