Germany made a successful start to World Cup qualifying thanks to an outstanding Thomas Müller and Joshua Kimmich's maiden goal for the national team on Sunday evening. Joachim Löw's troops posted a clear-cut 3-0 victory away to Norway, with Müller scoring a brace and setting up Kimmich's goal.
The Norwegians found themselves outclassed by the world champions. Müller scored the opener on the quarter-hour, his first goal for Germany in almost a year. Joshua King miscued Norway's only first-half chance shortly afterwards. Müller set up Kimmich to finish with clinical precision in the dying seconds of the first half, crashing the ball into the far corner. Müller rounded off his brace with a header on the hour.
Four Bavarians featured in the starting line-up: new captain Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, Kimmich and Müller all played the full 90 minutes, with Jérôme Boateng out of action due to injury. As expected, Joachim Löw fielded 11 EURO participants in the opening match of Group C. The Germany head coach opted for a back four again, and his decision was vindicated as the victory was never threatened.
Poland held to draw despite Lewandowski goal
Robert Lewandowski and his Polish team-mates were held to a draw as they failed to preserve a two-goal lead in the World Cup qualifier away to Kazakhstan. Bartosz Kapustka put the visitors in front early on and the Bayern striker doubled the lead from the spot after the half-hour, but the Kazakhs clawed their way back into the contest after the interval. Sergej Chischnitschenko's brace earned the hosts a point in Group E.
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