Menace Muller inspires German win over resilient Scotland

Thomas Muller scored twice and set up Ilkay Gundogan’s winner as Germany bested Scotland 3-2 at Hampden Park in Euro 2016 qualifying, despite their hosts twice coming back through a Mats Hummels own goal and spectacular strike from James McArthur.

Losing to the reigning world champions is a big and near terminal blow to Scottish hopes of reaching the European Championship finals in France next summer, especially as Celtic rivals the Republic of Ireland beat Georgia and are now clear in third place in Group D.

Gordon Strachan vowed to make changes after the defeat in Georgia, and did just that with Ikechi Anya, Steven Naismith and Andy Robertson dropping out. Grant Hanley earned a recall in central defence, meaning Charlie Mulgrew moved across to left back.

James Forrest and McArthur also came into the Scotland XI, playing competitive international football for the first time since 2013. Die Mannschaft manager Joachim Low, meanwhile, made just one alteration with Gundogan replacing Karim Bellarabi, prompting a change of role for Mesut Ozil.

A strong German start saw them swiftly monopolise possession and it told before the 20-minute mark when Muller’s shot took a deflection off Russell Martin that wrong-footed David Marshall. Before half an hour, however, the hosts responded.

Shaun Maloney’s whipped free-kick, cheaply conceded by makeshift Liverpool defender Emre Can, caused chaos for Die Mannschaft and resulted in a rare mistake from number one Manuel Neuer. He could only parry straight to Hummels, who bundled the ball past his own keeper.

Parity lasted just five minutes for Scotland, though, as Muller restored Germany’s lead and Can atoned for his part in the equaliser. Mulgrew’s move infield proved costly as Mario Gotze found Can and, although his shot was kept out by Marshall, Muller showed poaching instincts to snap up the rebound.