Azerbaijan vs. Germany: Score and Reaction for World Cup 2018 Qualifying

Andre Schurrle, Thomas Muller and Mario Gomez all scored in the first half to help Germany beat Azerbaijan 4-1 in a qualifier for the 2018 FIFA World Cup at the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium in Baku on Sunday.

Schurrle added his second goal 10 minutes from time when Germany's players were being pushed back by a resolute home side. Ultimately, the scoreline didn't quite reflect how competitive the match was.

Germany led 3-1 at the break, but only after Azerbaijan had drawn level at 1-1 after Dimitrij Nazarov equalised Shurrle's opener. The World Cup holders predictably reasserted their dominance, but Azerbaijan deserved credit for competing well and always posing a threat on the break.

The result makes it five wins in a row for the world champions in Group C of the European qualifiers for next year's World Cup in Russia. It also maintained Die Mannschaft's 100 percent record in the Azeri capital.

In fact, Germany have now set a record for starting fast in a World Cup qualifying campaign, according to OptaFranz:

Borussia Dortmund man Schurrle and Bayern Munich star Muller led the line for Germany, as noted by the team's Twitter account:

Arsenal's Mesut Ozil only made the bench amid fitness concerns, while Liverpool midfielder Emre Can joined him among Germany's substitutes.

Azerbaijan were managed by former Croatia star Robert Prosinecki, who attempted to counter the visitors' considerable attacking menace with a rigid 4-5-1 formation. It was the same structure he used to help earn a 0-0 draw against the Czech Republic recently.

Germany skipper Sami Khedira received a booking on 12 minutes following a cynical foul after the Juventus man had given the ball away cheaply in midfield. The booking means Khedira will miss the next qualifier against San Marino. It also summed up a sluggish start by the away side, who were frustrated by Azerbaijan's shape.

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However, Khedira's relentless running off the ball soon helped set up Germany's best early chance. He linked well on the right to win a corner, a set piece that eventually led to left-back Jonas Hector going close with a curling shot from outside the box.

Germany only needed to wait another four minutes to take the lead. The goal was fashioned by a swift combination between Julian Draxler and Hector, with the latter's low cross turned in by Schurrle.

As Squawka Football pointed out, Schurrle has had a long wait for more success in front of goal at international level:

A goalmouth scramble moments after the restart saw defenders Benedikt Howedes then Joshua Kimmich both denied as Die Mannschaft stepped up their intensity and search for more goals.

The world champions were in firm control but began to get a little sloppy with their passing. They were duly punished when the hosts pounced on a loose pass and broke at pace.

Afran Ismayilov wisely picked out Nazarov on the edge of the box. The latter placed a superb low and curling shot into the bottom corner of the net to stun Germany and send an already raucous crowd into raptures.

It was the first goal Germany have conceded in these qualifiers. OptaFranz put the previously miserly run into a numerical context:

Germany's response was instant and ruthless, with Schurrle stopping an Azeri break before releasing Muller in behind. The 27-year-old rounded the goalkeeper and slotted the ball in with ease to restore his nation's lead.

Muller has usually been the catalyst in the final third for Die Mannschaft during these qualifiers, per Squawka:

Germany led 3-1 at the break when Kimmich crossed for Gomez and the Wolfsburg striker astutely nodded the ball back in the direction it had come from to drop it over the 'keeper.

A two-goal deficit at the break was tough on Azerbaijan, who had competed well during the opening half. Ultimately, though, Germany's greater class was always going to tell.

Ozil came off the bench on the hour mark to replace Gomez as Germany were in cruise control after the break. To their credit, the hosts tried to keep the pressure on Germany by always pressing and looking to strike on the break.

Unfortunately for Prosinecki's men, too many players were wasteful with the final pass, with Ismayilov particularly culpable.

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Germany punished their opponents' profligacy when Ozil and Kroos combined to release Hector, who smartly picked out Schurrle. The Dortmund forward's touch was sure, while the finish was emphatic to cap the scoring.

Post-Match Reaction

Speaking to RTL (h/t DW Sports), manager Joachim Low said his side weren't as impressive as the scoreline indicated:

Centre-back Mats Hummels echoed his manager's thoughts, per the same source:

Meanwhile, two-goal hero Schurrle talked up the trust Low places in him, offering a stark comparison with how things are for him at club level:

Without ever getting out of second gear, Germany showed their quality in forward areas can't be matched by any other team on the planet, leaving the holders already looking like a strong bet to retain the World Cup.