Germany vs. Georgia: Score and Reaction from Euro 2016 Qualifier

Germany left it late to see off Georgia on Sunday, as Max Kruse’s 79th-minute strike ensured that the world champions progressed to Euro 2016 as Group D winners.

Thomas Mueller opened the scoring from the spot on 49 minutes for the hosts after Jaba Kankava brought down Mesut Ozil in the box, but the Georgia man made amends just four minutes later to stun the home fans in Leipzig.

However, Kruse had the final say on proceedings, as he picked up the ball from the ever-impressive Ozil before stroking the ball home to give the Germans all three points.

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

Many would have expected Germany to see off minnows Georgia with minimal fuss, and that’s exactly how the game started.

Joachim Loew’s men were penning the Georgians in and creating chance after chance, but the ball just wouldn’t find its way into the net.

Marco Reus missed some gilt-edged chances early on—including two one-on-ones—while Georgia goalkeeper Nukri Revishvili had to be on top form to keep out efforts from Mueller, Ozil and Toni Kroos.

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

The sides went in at half-time level pegging at 0-0, with the home fans starting to get frustrated at their team’s lack of goals.

It wasn’t long before Ozil eased the tension, though, as his feet proved too fast for Kankava to handle and was brought down in the box.

Mueller stepped up to punish the Georgians, as fans inside the Red Bull Arena breathed a collective sigh of relief.

However, the tension was up once again just four minutes later, as Kankava slammed home an incredible left-foot volley to send the visitors wild, as ESPNFC’s video shows:

Georgia then had a great chance to go in front through Tornike Okriashvili, but his first-time shot was saved brilliantly by Manuel Neuer in the Germany goal.

International Business Times’ Jason Le Miere reflected on the impossible potentially becoming possible:

Something had to change for the hosts, and when Kruse replaced Andre Schurrle in attack, Loew found the recipe for success.

Just three minutes after coming on, Kruse spun after being fed the ball by Ozil and placed a beautiful first-time effort low past Revishvili.

The Germans then managed to close out the match with minimal fuss, ensuring they qualified for Euro 2016 as group winners.

The lack of a cutting edge up front will have concerned Loew, but winning ugly is, indeed, the sign of champions.

Reaction

Following the victory, Germany manager Loew reflected on a tough night's work for his side, as he said that the "team are satisfied, but there's still work to do"—via the national team's official Twitter page (translation by author):