Faroe Islands 0 Germany 3: Germany battled to a 3-0 away win over a rugged Faroe Islands side to maintain their predictable progress towards a place at the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil next year.
Per Mertesacker gave them a 1-0 halftime lead but the clear Group C leaders then had to wait until the last 20 minutes for further goals when Mesut Özil converted a penalty won by Thomas Müeller, who scored the third goal himself.
The hosts had Atli Gregersen sent off for the foul which led to the penalty.
Germany’s seventh win in eight games left them on 22 points, five clear of Sweden, who beat Kazakhstan earlier in the day and 11 points ahead of Ireland who lost 1-0 to Austria (in third on 14 points).
The Germans next host Ireland before finishing off away to Sweden and need two points from the two games to guarantee top spot.
Like many other teams before them, Germany found the Faroes part-times to be tough going on home ground.
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was called into action early on when he had to turn over a shot by Pol Johannus Justinussen. Julian Draxler and Miroslav Klose had already struck the woodwork for the visitors when Mertesacker opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. The Arsenal defender sidefooted in from close range after Jerome Boateng flicked on a corner at the near post.
Germany predictably dominated the match but created surprisingly few chances as the hosts defended doggedly. They finally made the game safe when Mueller was tripped as he raced in on goal and Ozil sent Gunnar Nielson the wrong way. Mueller then volleyed the third with six minutes left, completing the Faroes’ eighth straight defeat in the group.
