SCOTLAND partially atoned for their dreadful display in Georgia three days earlier but this narrow loss to Germany leaves their Euro 2016 hopes hanging by a thread.
Gordon Strachan’s side had twice pegged back the world champions to go into the half-time break level at 2-2 but the Germans always looked a class above and Ilkay Guendogan’s strike early in the second half proved to be the winner.
To make matters worse, the Republic of Ireland’s narrow victory at home to Georgia leaves Scotland some way adrift in fourth place in the group, needing to beat Poland and Gibraltar in their final two games and hope results go their way to have any chance of even gaining a play-off place.
Germany had toyed with Scotland in the early phases – the hosts could barely get a touch of the ball – but there was still a large element of good fortune about their opening goal after 18 minutes. Scotland did not get anywhere near close enough to Thomas Mueller as he ambled casually to the edge of the penalty box like an elderly gent enjoying an evening stroll, before unleashing a shot that struck the unfortunate Russell Martin and left David Marshall wrong-footed.
Scotland were up against it early on and their disappointment was compounded when Charlie Mulgrew was denied what looked like a penalty when Emre Can grappled with him just inside the box. The Dutch referee chose to instead give Scotland a free kick but they would make the most of it. Shaun Maloney’s delivery bounced awkwardly in front of Manuel Neuer who could only push it out as if trying to shove custard through a letterbox, the ball striking the hapless Mats Hummels and nestling in the German net.
That prompted a quick rendition of “you’re not singing any more” from the home support but their gas would soon be at a peep once more as Germany moved back in front. It wasn’t great again from a defensive point of view, Can’s shot blocked unconvincingly by Marshall to Mueller whose header via a post was hacked clear by Charlie Mulgrew but only with the ball several feet over the line.
And yet Scotland came back again and two minutes before half-time they were level again. Germany didn’t deal with a rare Scotland corner and James McArthur’s planted effort soared high past Neuer who again did not cover himself in glory. An appeal for offside against the loitering James Morrison looked hopeful and Scotland were somehow level at the break.
Germany are not the world champions for nothing, however, and within 10 minutes of the re-start they had forged in front for the third time in the game. It was a goal of real class, Guendogan and Mueller exchanging passes before the Borussia Dortmund midfielder sidefooted a shot past Marshall via a post. This time Scotland had no response.
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