Germany signed off for the summer break with a clear-cut victory, beating Estonia 8-0 in their third Euro qualifier. The result takes Germany onto nine points in Group C, three short of Northern Ireland (12), who have contested four matches so far.
Five Bayern pros started in front of the full house in Mainz. Manuel Neuer, Niklas Süle, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry featured for Germany. Only Sven Ulreich failed to get off the bench. Buoyed by the dynamic Bayern pros, the 2014 world champions left no doubt as to who would leave the pitch as winners.
Marco Reus (10, 37), Gnabry (17), Goretzka (20) and Ilkay Gündogan (26, pen) found the net before half-time. Gnabry (62), sub Timo Werner (79) and Leroy Sané (88) rounded off the scorelline in the second half. Estonia netminder Sergei Lepmets turned in a strong display, preventing further goals.
"I think we can be proud of what we've shown in the last three internationals," said Neuer, drawing a positive conclusion after Germany's biggest victory since November 2016. The success means Germany conclude the 2018/19 season with five victories, three draws and two defeats.
Coman sidelined with knock
World champions France atoned for Saturday's 2-0 defeat away to Turkey, beating Andorra 4-0. The Equipe Tricolore were without Kingsley Coman in the away victory. The Bayern pro should have started but had muscular problems when warming up and had to be replaced by Wissam Ben Yedder.
Kylian Mbappé (11), Ben Yedder (30) and Florian Thauvin (45+2) scored in the first half. After the restart Kurt Zouma (60) rounded off France's third victory in the qualifiers. Les Bleus now have nine points from four matches, topping Group H on goal difference ahead of Turkey and Iceland, who faced off on Tuesday evening, Iceland winning 2-1.
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