A goal in each half from Bayern Munich midfielder Thomas Müller gave Germany a hard-fought 2-1 win over Scotland in a Euro 2016 Group D qualifying match in Dortmund.
The Germans sought to bounce back from the 4-2 loss to Argentina in a friendly last week and Müller set Die Mannschaft on their way in the Signal Iduna Park with an 18th minute goal.
Having come close with two headers in the opening stages of the match, Müller found the net at the third try when he headed home a chipped cross by Sebastien Rudy.
Charlie Mulgrew had an effort come off the Germany woodwork moments before Müller’s opener, while Rudy and Marco Reus went close for the hosts afterwards as Germany looked to extend the lead but were thwarted by a resolute Scotland.
Steven Naismith saw an effort beat Manuel Neuer but going wide off the post before shooting wide from 12 yards out moments later as Scotland looked for a way back.
Dortmund forward Reus was denied around the hour mark by David Marshall, whose save proved crucial at the time as Ikechi Anya – of Nigerian descent – levelled for the Scots after 66 minutes.
Parity in the match lasted only four minutes though, with Müller on hand to bundle in the ball from close range after Scotland failed to clear a cornerkick.
Müller hit the post late on while Reus went off injured and Mulgrew got sent off in stoppage time as Germany held off the Scots to get their qualifying campaign started on a good note.
The world champions share second spot in Group D with Republic of Ireland that came away from Georgia with a 2-1 win courtesy of Aiden McGeady’s brace; the second coming at the death.
Poland meanwhile lead the group after a 7-0 away demolition of Gibraltar, with Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski scoring four goals in the encounter.
Elsewhere in qualifying, Group F saw all the away teams pick up wins, with Finland winning 3-1 at Faroe Island, Northern Ireland beating Hungary 2-1 in Budapest and Romania coming away from Greece with a 1-0 win.