..::Football III::..

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Xavi: Neymar is not a diver

Barcelona playmaker Xavi has defended team-mate Neymar against recent criticism that he goes to the ground too easily and engages in play-acting.

The Brazil international has been criticised for his alleged tendency to exaggerate tackles and injuries, but Xavi feels says his Blaugrana team-mate does not deserve the harsh treatment he's been receiving since his summer switch from Santos.

"All the focus is on Neymar, but he is not play-acting or diving," Xavi told RAC1. "These accusations happen because we have a lot of rivals.

"The people in Madrid are looking for things they don't like and then try to put a certain label on a player.

"Neymar has the skills to be a big star, if he's not one already at this stage. We're lucky to have him."

The midfielder, 33, then went on to discuss his future at Barcelona and added that the Catalans will continue to do well without him once he hangs up his boots.

"Barcelona will keep on winning and playing well without me. Nobody is indispensable," the World Cup winner said.

"Barca should not be looking for a direct replacement for me as that would only put extra pressure on the guy taking my place."

Xavi has a contract with Barcelona for two more seasons after the 2013-14 campaign.

 

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Diego Costa will be welcomed with open arms, says Negredo

Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo has stressed that he would welcome Diego Costa into the Spain squad with open arms.

The Brazil-born attacker recently revealed that he wants to represent the reigning world champions rather than the Selecao and Negredo is keen to team up with the current La Liga topscorer.

"Diego Costa's a great player and you can't argue with that," Negredo told reporters.

"If he comes to the team to contribute, to strengthen and support the team then he will be welcomed with open arms.

"I like him a lot as a player. I've always wanted to have him in my team.

"But it's up to Del Bosque to decide if he picks him."

Atletico Madrid forward Costa has twice lined out for Brazil but can still switch allegiances as the 25-year-old has not appeared in a competitive game for the Selecao as of yet.

 

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'I'd like to play in the Premier League one day' - Lewandowski

Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski has declared his intention to one day play in the Premier League, while at the same time reiterating that his expected move to Bayern Munich next summer is not a forgone conclusion.

The 25-year-old attacker, whose BVB contract expires at the end of the season, stated in September that he would officially sign a deal with Pep Guardiola's side in January before backtracking on that claim a day later.

Lewandowski was also a target for former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer and acknowledged that he spoke to the retired Scot before Bayern apparently won the race for his signature - although the Poland international says a proposed switch to Old Trafford was never raised during their conversation.

"I will be able to sign a contract [with any club] in January but I have never said that I will sign a contract with Bayern," Lewandowski told The Daily Telegraph.

"It was a misunderstanding. It is true I had an opportunity to speak with Sir Alex Ferguson [last year] but we didn't mention the transfer.

"One day I would like to play in Premier League. It would be a great experience."

The forward had a chance to move to England before he joined Dortmund in 2010, explaining: "There was a proposal from Blackburn.

"I even spoke with the former manager [Sam Allardyce]. In the end, I decided that Dortmund gave me a better chance of development as a footballer."

 

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Baines unfazed by prospect of 18,000 Poland fans at England game

Everton and England left-back Leighton Baines insists that he will not be fazed by an anticipated 18,000-strong Polish following at Wembley on Tuesday.

The Football Association has provided the visiting team with an extra 10,000 tickets on top of their original 8,000 allocation in an attempt to stop visiting fans purchasing seats among their English counterparts.

It will be the biggest away following at an England match at the new Wembley, dwarfing the numbers brought by Ghana, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland in recent years.

The increased number of away supporters is sure to create a competitive atmosphere in the stands but Baines does not think that it will have any bearing on the England players' performances as they go in search of the victory which would seal their passage to the World Cup.

"If it adds to the atmosphere it is great," he told reporters. "When we played Ghana they were amazing and it just made it better.

"If these away fans add to the atmosphere the home fans are going to produce, then it just adds to the occasion.

"It could [give Poland a boost] but, to put a more positive spin on it, you'd rather play in a stadium with a good atmosphere, rather than it be a half-empty stadium."

FA spokesman Scott Field defended the decision, explaining: "With high demand for tickets from the large Polish community in England, the FA took the decision, based on safety grounds, to ensure Polish fans were allocated space in a specific area of the ground, rather than attempting to buy tickets in home areas.

"Tickets in the home areas have been restricted to previous buyers only, with no tickets now remaining for this fixture.

"This is the same process that was employed for the successful Scotland and Republic of Ireland fixtures earlier this year."

 

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Del Bosque: Casillas not guaranteed Spain spot

Vicente del Bosque says Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas is not a guaranteed starter for Spain.

Casillas, who has found his playing time significantly reduced at club level since Diego Lopez became favourite ahead of the 32-year-old, could now find himself in a similar position in the international fold.

And with Spain showing an incredible amount of depth with Pepe Reina and Friday's starter Victor Valdes all ready to deputise in his position, Del Bosque says any of his shot-stoppers could play against Georgia on Tuesday and in the future.

"We'll surely make some changes and one of them could be in goal," he said at a press conference.

"We have three fantastic goalkeepers and any one of them can play. It's not a problem to decide between them. If there's a problem, it's the number of options we have."

Del Bosque also reserved special praise for Iniesta, who returns to his home town Albacete for Tuesday's clash.

He added: "Iniesta's an example on and off the field, a global figure, an excellent example."

Meanwhile, the 62-year-old coach has urged his side to show more following poor performances in recent times and is expecting teams to be more offensive against Spain at Brazil 2014.

"We have had four bad, uncomfortable games, but of those, France and Belarus played well," he continued. "We are an attacking team but the stats show that we don't concede many goals and we defend well.

"There have been teams who have been on the back foot against us but I don't think that will happen at the World Cup, there will be more open games."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Casillas thamai Spain team 1ke hodama GKSo chances set una madi injury 1ka nisa

But ada thiyana Georgia match 1kata Casillas wa dammanam Pattta

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Messi resumes Barcelona training

Lionel Messi handed Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino a boost on Monday when he returned to training after overcoming a thigh injury.The 26-year-old has missed his side's last two games – a 1-0 win over Celtic in the Champions League and a 4-1 success over Valladolid – as a result of the muscle strain he sustained against Almeria last month.

The 26-year-old, who has eight league goals to his name this season from six appearances, has made a swift recovery and trained for the first time on Monday, although it remains to be seen whether he will feature in Saturday's trip to Osasuna.
That game at Estadio El Sadar is followed by fixtures against AC Milan in Europe and the first Clasico of 2013-14.

Barca captain Carles Puyol also trained alongside Messi as he continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury that has sidelined him since March.

Like Messi, Puyol is waiting to discover what part – if any – he will play at the weekend.

 

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World Cup Qualifying Fixtures 2013.10.15

World Cup Qualifying Fixtures 2013.10.15


Serbia Vs Macedonia
Belgium Vs Wales
Scotland Vs Croatia
Bulgaria Vs Czech Republic
Denmark Vs Malta
Italy Vs Armenia
Faroe Islands Vs Austria
Republic of Ireland Vs Kazakhstan
Sweden Vs Germany
Hungary Vs Andorra
Romania Vs Estonia
Turkey Vs Netherlands
Cyprus Vs Albania
Norway Vs Iceland
Switzerland Vs Slovenia
Azerbijan Vs Russia
Israel Vs Nothern Ireland
Portugal Vs Luxemburg
Greece Vs Liechtenstein
Lithuania Vs Bosnia
Latvia Vs Slovakia
England Vs Poland
Montenegro Vs Moldova
San Marino Vs Ukraine
France Vs Finland
Spain Vs Georgia
Chile Vs Ecador
Paraguay Vs Colombia
Uruguay Vs Argentina
Peru Vs Bolivia
Costa Rica Vs Mexico
Jamaica Vs Honduras
Panama Vs USA
Ghana Vs Egypt
South Korea Vs Mali
Brazil Vs Zambia
Belarus Vs Japan
Canada Vs Australia​

 

[rcccc]

Messi resumes Barcelona training

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[rcccc]

World Cup Qualifying Fixtures 2013.10.15

Spain Vs Georgia
Sweden Vs Germany
Turkey Vs Netherlands
England Vs Poland
Uruguay Vs Argentina​

 

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Congratulations Spain!

Full Time

Spain 2 Vs 0 Georgia

Spain Goal(s)

Negredo 26'
Mata 61'

Congratulations Spain

VAMOS ESPANA

​

 

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Full Time

England 2 Vs 0 Poland

England Goal(s)

Rooney 41'
Gerrard 88'

Congratulations England!


​

 

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Italy 2-2 Armenia: Balotelli secures late point

Mario Balotelli's 76th minute strike saved face for Italy as they drew 2-2 with Armenia on Tuesday night.

Yura Movsisyan gave the visitors the perfect start in the fifth minute, only to see Alessandro Florenzi equalise with a header midway through the first half.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan gave Armenia the lead for a second time in the 70th minute, before substitute Balotelli preserved Italy's unbeaten record in Group B six minutes later.

With qualification already assured, Cesare Prandelli made nine changes from the side that drew 2-2 in Denmark on Friday, with Pablo Daniel Osvaldo and Riccardo Montolivo the only men to keep their place.

Armenia coach Vardan Minasyan made two alterations from the 2-1 home victory over Bulgaria, as Varazdat Haroyan and Artur Yedigaryan came in for Artur Sarkisov and Kamo Hovhannisyan.

Movsisyan gave the visitors a dream start in the fifth minute as the Italians surrendered possession on the edge of their own box, the striker clipping the ball over the lunge of Davide Astori before drilling the ball low and hard across Federico Marchetti into the corner.

Osvaldo had a chance to equalise six minutes later after turning smartly in the box, but the Southampton forward curled his left-footed shot wide of the post.

Ten minutes later, he wasted an even better chance after Lorenzo Insigne struck a post from 25 yards, the ball rebounded kindly for the forward, but his tame effort was straight into the arms of Roman Berezovsky with the goal gaping.

The equaliser was not long in coming however, Florenzi nodding home Insigne's delightful chipped cross from six yards in the 24th minute.

Insigne was proving the hosts' main threat and almost put his side in front in the 35th minute, deceiving Hrayr Mkoyan with a quick turn in the box before curling his shot narrowly wide of the right hand post.

After a quiet opening to the second half, it was Insigne who posed the danger once again in the 58th minute, driving into the box before bringing a good save from Berezovsky at his near post.

The Napoli man was in the action again three minutes later, running on to Balotelli's pass on the edge of the box, but he scuffed his effort and the goalkeeper made a comfortable save.

With 20 minutes to go, Mkhitaryan headed Gevorg Ghazaryan's left wing corner in off the crossbar and suddenly Italy's record of never having lost a home World Cup qualifier was under threat.

However, their blushes were spared somewhat as Balotelli ran on to Andrea Pirlo's pass and hooked the ball in.

Haroyan should have claimed a famous winner for his side with 10 minutes to go, but the defender sent his free header over from eight yards.

 

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Turkey 0-2 Netherlands: Robben and Sneijder seal win

Netherlands recorded their ninth win of World Cup 2014 qualifying with a 2-0 victory over Turkey in Istanbul.

Goals from Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder secured their triumph and ended any hope Turkey had of making the play-offs.

Robben opened the scoring after eight minutes with a free-kick that beat everyone and caught out Volkan Demirel in the Turkey goal.Despite plenty of home pressure, Turkey could not find the back of the net and Sneijder punished them with a second early in the second half to seal the points and complete an undefeated qualification campaign.

Louis van Gaal made five changes to the side that convincingly beat Hungary on Friday with Leroy Fer, Jordy Clasie and Sneijder making up a brand new midfield.
There were two changes for Turkey as Gokhan Tore and Caner Erkin were replaced by Hasan Kaldirim and Olcan Adin.

With Turkey needing to win to give them second place in the group, their night got off to the worst possible start as the visitors took the lead in eighth minute of the match.Robben whipped in a free-kick from the right that evaded all the Netherlands players in the penalty area and left Demirel unable to reach it with his dive.

Things nearly got worse three minutes later as Robin van Persie thought he had doubled the lead only for his effort to be ruled out for offside. The Manchester United striker was played in by Robben and lifted the ball over Demirel only for the assistant to deny him.

Turkey began to work their way back into the game and a delicate flick from Mehmet Topal nearly diverted a Selcuk Inan free-kick beyond Jasper Cillessen, but it flew just wide of the goalkeeper’s post.After Robben had wasted a chance to double his tally, Umut Bulut should have levelled with Turkey’s best opening of the game.

The striker got above Bruno Martins Indi to meet a Kaldirim cross but he headed over the crossbar from six yards out.Sneijder made Turkey pay for their wastefulness in front of goal two minutes after the break as he doubled Netherlands’ lead with a calm finish from inside the penalty area.

The Galatasaray midfielder received a pass from substitute Dirk Kuyt before firing low across Demirel into the bottom corner.

Demirel made crucial stops to deny Jeremain Lens and Sneijder before Cillessen was tested by a long-range strike from Turkish substitute Gokhan Tore.Fatih Terim's side continued to push but wasteful finishing from substitute Cenk Tosun cost them dearly as they finished their campaign in fourth position.

 

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Portugal 3-0 Luxembourg: Bento's men cruise to win

Portugal ended World Cup qualifying Group F with a 3-0 win over Luxembourg in Coimbra, but face a play-off to reach Brazil 2014.

Tuesday's game had become somewhat of a formality with Portugal sat three points behind Russia, who picked up a group-winning point at fourth-placed Azerbaijan, following a disappointing 1-1 draw away to Israel on Friday.

After managing to keep Portugal out for almost half an hour, the visitors' task was made almost impossible by Aurelien Joachim's red card, with Silvestre Varela and Nani scoring in quick succession to move Portugal ahead.

With the hosts having little to play for, Luxembourg rallied in the second half, but they were put to bed by Helder Postiga's late third.

Paulo Bento made five changes to the side held by Israel, while Nani was named captain in the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo's absence.

Requiring Russia to slip up as well as a swing in goal difference, the home side were quick out the blocks and dominated.

Visiting goalkeeper Jonathan Joubert saw Varela head over in just the third minute and had to be alert after saving Nani's long-range effort to tip away Postiga's follow-up.

Postiga had the ball in the net, but was called offside, Fabio Coentrao nodded onto the crossbar and Nani's header was fantastically saved by Joubert as Portugal turned the screw.

And the pressure seemed to get to Joachim, who was rightly dismissed on 28 minutes for a studs-up tackle on midfielder Andre Almeida.

The hosts made the advantage count just two minutes later. Joao Moutinho threaded a perfect throughball to Varela, who raced clear, took the ball away from Joubert and tapped into the empty net.

And they doubled the lead after 37 minutes with Moutinho again the creator. Nani played the ball into the Monaco man, who returned it to his captain with a neat back-heel and the winger smashed his finish into the roof of the net.

Joubert and an offside flag denied Josue and Coentrao respectively as the hosts had to settle for a two-goal buffer at the break.

The tempo dropped drastically in the second half, although Varela remained a threat on both flanks with some surging runs and dangerous crosses.

Lars Krogh Gerson had the visitors' brightest moment just after the hour mark with a sweetly struck half-volley, but it was straight at Rui Patricio.

That perhaps gave Luxembourg confidence and the Sporting Lisbon keeper was forced to scramble across his goal to see Tom Laterza's ambitious shot from the right touchline wide.

But Portugal wrapped up the win in the closing stages, substitute Hugo Almeida flicked Josue's cross to Postiga, and the Valencia striker slotted underneath Joubert to give the hosts confidence heading into November's play-offs.

 

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Israel 1-1 Northern Ireland: Davis strikes to earn point for visitors

Israel and Northern Ireland had to settle for a 1-1 draw in their final World Cup qualifying Group F clash in Tel Aviv, with Steven Davis' second-half strike levelling the scores for the away side.

Neither side had any chance of qualifying for Brazil ahead of the game at the Ramat Gan Stadium, but there was still plenty to play for, with Israel coach Eli Guttman hoping to earn a new contract and Northern Ireland eager for their only away win in the campaign.

Israel, who were guaranteed to finish third regardless of the result, took the lead courtesy of Eden Ben Basat's sixth goal in Group F at the end of a disappointing first half.

But the visitors were far more threatening after the break and captain Davis rescued a point with a clinical finish 18 minutes from time.

Israel coach Guttman made three changes to the side that drew with Portugal on Friday night, with Maor Melikson, Lior Refaelov and Ofir Davidzada promoted to the starting line-up in place of Elyaniv Barda, Omri Ben Harush and Maharan Radi.

There were six changes to the Northern Ireland starting line-up following their defeat in Azerbaijan, two of those coming at centre-back with suspended duo Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley replaced by Rory McArdle and Chris Baird.

Northern Ireland striker Martin Paterson thought he should have had a penalty eight minutes in for a push from goalkeeper Dudu Aouate, but referee Laurent Duhamel saw nothing untoward.

The visitors were forced to make a change after just 24 minutes when Corry Evans was on the wrong end of a heavy challenge from Sheran Yeini, who was cautioned, and Chris Brunt came on to replace him.

After a slow start Israel got into their stride and it came as no surprise when they took the lead three minutes before half-time, with the impressive Eyal Meshumar picking out Ben Basat with an inviting cross from the right and the Toulouse striker headed into the bottom-right corner of the net.

Northern Ireland defender Craig Cathcart and Israel's Dekel Keinan required treatment after a clash of heads early in the second half, with Cathcart playing on after being bandaged up.

Brunt almost equalised after an hour when Israel allowed the midfielder to line up a shot with his dangerous left foot and his strike was deflected narrowly wide.

But Northern Ireland were level 18 minutes from time, with substitute Jamie Ward laying the ball off to Davis and the skipper fired into the bottom-right corner with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area.

Paterson came close to winning the match but his 77th-minute volley was straight at the advancing Aouate, though Northern Ireland will be glad to have prevented a fourth successive defeat.

 

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Ghana 6-1 Egypt: Black Stars rout feeble Pharaohs

A double from Asamoah Gyan helped Ghana all but secure their place at the World Cup as they hammered Egypt 6-1 on Tuesday.

James Kwesi Appiah's men headed into the first leg of the CAF qualification play-off knowing they would need to be at their best against a side that did not drop a point in the group stage.

And Ghana did not disappoint as they produced a magnificent performance to all but ensure they will be at next year's finals in Brazil.

Gyan put the hosts in front early on before a Wael Gomaa own goal doubled their advantage.

Egypt did pull one back through Mohamed Aboutrika's penalty, but a strike from Majeed Waris, a second from Gyan and goals from Sulley Muntari and Christian Atsu ensured victory for Ghana.

Ghana took the lead after just four minutes when Gyan's fierce right-footed strike flew in off the post after the Al-Ain forward had been played in by Waris.

The hosts continued to dictate the play in the early stages and came close to doubling their advantage as Waris was denied by a brilliant save by Egypt goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy.

Ekramy came to the visitors' rescue again as he kept out a Waris header after the Spartak Moscow man had latched on to a cross from Michael Essien.

However, with 22 minutes gone, Ghana's pressure finally told, Gomaa turning into his own net in a failed attempt to steal the ball from Essien as the Chelsea midfielder surged into the box.

Egypt responded well and should have pulled one back when Mohamed Naguib headed wide with the goal at his mercy.

Bob Bradley's men did cut the deficit four minutes before the break, Aboutrika converting from the spot after Rashid Sumaila had bundled over Mohamed Salah.

But Ghana restored their two-goal advantage almost immediately, as Waris headed home Muntari's well-placed free kick.

Muntari was involved again as Ghana put the game beyond doubt nine minutes into the second half, Gyan heading home the Milan man's scissor kick to net his second of the game.

Egypt then suffered a further blow when Ekramy was forced off with an injury, and his replacement Ahmed Al Shenawy was at fault for Ghana's fifth as his foul on Waris allowed Muntari to slot home from 12 yards.

And the rout was completed in the 89th minute by Atsu, who rounded things off with a fine individual effort.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Brazil 2-0 Zambia: Oscar inspires Selecao to fourth successive win

Brazil racked up their fourth successive victory by beating Zambia 2-0 in a friendly fixture in Beijing on Tuesday.

After a goalless first half, Chelsea midfielder Oscar came off the bench to open the scoring with a deflected effort.

Shortly after, the game was put beyond all doubt when Dede notched his first international goal with a close-range header.

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva was handed his first start in nearly two years, while Alexandre Pato and Lucas Moura were also given opportunities.

Patrice Beaumelle was in the dugout for Zambia, after taking control on an interim basis following the departure of Herve Renard to Sochaux.

Brazil almost made an electric start in the third minute when Neymar's sublime free kick rebounded off the crossbar. Shortly after, his Barcelona team-mate Daniel Alves hit a half-volley that narrowly drifted over the bar.

On the 15-minute mark a clever one-two between Ramires and Neymar led to the Chelsea midfielder going one-on-one with Kennedy Mweene only to ultimately put his effort just wide of the post.

Emmanuel Mayuka was lively up front for Zambia without causing any real issues for the Brazilian defence and only had a tame effort which was held by Diego Cavalieri.

Neymar could have put Brazil ahead in the 37th minute when he looped a header wide from Maxwell's delivery when unmarked in the box. And he was again thwarted on the stroke of half-time with Mweene parrying his left-footed effort for a corner as the sides went in level at the break.

After the break David Luiz went close with a 25-yard free kick but his effort was smartly parried away by Mweene.

However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 59th minute, courtesy of substitute Oscar. The Chelsea midfielder cut inside Mayuka on the left before hitting a 20-yard effort that took a huge deflection off Chisambu Lungu and looped over Mweene into the far corner.

As Zambia tired, the game was put beyond doubt in the 66th minute when Dede pulled away from his marker to head home Neymar's free kick from six yards.

Buoyed by their quick-fire double, Brazil continued to push for a third and Oscar should have done so in the dying stages when after a flowing move he curled an effort straight at Mweene.

But the miss made no difference to the final outcome as Brazil extended their winning run to four matches. Scolari will now look ahead to Brazil's friendly clash with Honduras in Miami in November.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sweden 3-5 Germany: Schurrle hits hat-trick in eight-goal thriller

Andre Schurrle's hat-trick saw Germany beat Sweden 5-3 in their final World Cup qualifier at the Friends Arena on Tuesday.

Germany finish Group C unbeaten but had to come from behind to do so, with Tobias Hysen and Alexander Kacaniklic putting the home side ahead within 42 minutes.

However, Mesut Ozil pulled one back for the visitors prior to the break before early second-half goals from Mario Gotze and Schurrle put Germany ahead.

While Hysen's second briefly turned up the heat on Joachim Low's men, Schurrle completed his treble to gain revenge on Sweden - who are the only team to take points off Germany in qualification after the 4-4 draw in the first meeting between the sides.

Sweden's main changes were in their forward line, with Ola Toivonen and Hysen replacing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was suspended, and Johan Elmander up front.

Joachim Low had made no secret of his desire to experiment with Germany's line-up and he made two changes. Mats Hummels came in for Per Mertesacker in defence while Max Kruse replaced Sami Khedira.

Bastian Schweinsteiger won his 100th cap while Kruse's inclusion saw Ozil drop into a deeper role than during Friday's 3-0 win over Republic of Ireland.

The hosts took the lead when Hysen coolly slotted home after just six minutes as Germany conceded a goal in the opening 45 minutes for the first time in qualification.

The forward latched on to a Sebastian Larsson through ball, which Toivonen did well to steer clear of, before sidefooting the ball past the onrushing Manuel Neuer.

Thomas Muller saw his header bounce back off the crossbar five minutes later as Germany applied plenty of pressure in an attempt to get back on level terms.

However, Low's men were frustrated by a resolute Sweden defence, and they did not threaten again until Schweinsteiger curled an effort over seven minutes before the break.

But Sweden doubled their lead through Kacaniklic when he converted from inside the area, with the Fulham striker timing his run well to stay onside and fire home past Neuer from Kim Kallstrom's lofted ball.

On the stroke of half-time, Ozil marked his 25th birthday with a goal, pulling one back for the visitors when his right-footed effort left Johan Wiland with no chance.

Germany were level soon after the break, courtesy of a curled finish from substitute Gotze.

The Bayern Munich midfielder, a replacement for Muller, bent his right foot around the ball in the box, after good work from Ozil to set up the chance, to restore parity eight minutes into the second half.

Schurrle put the visitors ahead for the first time in the match when he latched on to a mistake from Per Nilsson, three minutes short of the hour mark, and Germany capitalised on another Sweden mistake to move two goals clear nine minutes later.

Gotze kept posession well after Mikael Antonsson lost the ball, playing in Schurrle, who kept his composure to complete a brace.

Still the goals continued, with Hysen emphatically crashing home a Larsson free-kick from the left after 69 minutes before Germany hit back as Schurrle completed his hat-trick.

He cut onto his right foot before curling an effort past a helpless Wiland 14 minutes from time to cap off a superb performance.

 

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Scotland 2-0 Croatia: Snodgrass & Naismith on target as hosts sign off in style

Scotland avoided finishing bottom of World Cup qualification Group A by beating Croatia 2-0 at Hampden Park on Tuesday night, picking up their first home win of a disappointing campaign.

Robert Snodgrass opened the scoring, just as he did in Zagreb in June, before Steven Naismith rifled in Barry Bannan's saved penalty to ensure Scotland's continued progression under Gordon Strachan.

The Norwich forward had joined up with the squad late after his partner gave birth to daughter Leonie last week, but he showed no signs of tiredness as he rose highest to head home the game's opening goal in the 28th minute.

Naismith grabbed Scotland's second with 17 minutes left, netting the rebound after Bannan's spot kick had been saved to wrap up the win for Strachan’s fast-improving side.

The win meant that Scotland leapfrogged Wales, held in Belgium into fourth place in Group A, while Croatia finished in second to take one of the eight play-of places on offer.

Strachan made three changes from the side that won 2-1 in Macedonia last time out, bringing in Allan McGregor, James Morrison and Snodgrass for David Marshall, Steven Whittaker and Shaun Maloney.

Croatia manager Igor Stimac, meanwhile, made four changes to the side that lost 2-1 in Belgium on Friday, including captain Darijo Srna, who returned from suspension. QPR midfielder Niko Kranjcar, who came off the bench to score against Belgium, was also among the inclusions.

The visitors started much the better side and their early pressure was nearly converted into a goal 12 minutes in, but former Blackburn Rovers striker Nikola Kalinic just failed to get on the end of an excellent Srna cross.

Scotland's first chance fell to Naismith, but the Everton man shot over from 18 yards after Scott Brown's initial effort had been blocked.

Strachan's men improved as the half went on and they took a deserved lead after 28 minutes when Snodgrass, scorer of the winner last time these sides met, leapt above Vedran Corluka to head home Charlie Mulgrew's cross.

And the Norwich striker nearly grabbed a second a few minutes later when Brown slipped the ball into his path as he raced through on goal, but Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa made an excellent save down to his left.

Mario Mandzukic had a chance to equalise shortly before half-time but he volleyed into the ground and over the crossbar when another Srna cross found him free at the back post.

The second half was a scrappy affair with few chances, with Luka Modric's long shot, which McGregor saved easily, the only one of note.

The Croatia fans responded to the lull in incident with some entertainment of their own, letting off a series of flares which left the pitch covered in smoke.

Stimac brought on Eduardo for Kalinic in search of some inspiration with time running out and he almost provided it when he latched onto a throughball and rounded McGregor, but the former Arsenal man finished into the side-netting from a tough angle.

And Scotland punished that profligacy soon afterwards when the dangerous Ikechi Anya was felled by Domagoj Vida inside the area.

Bannan's penalty was saved well by Pletikosa initially, but Naismith reacted quickest to fire home and seal the victory for Strachan's side.