Germany overcome gutsy Scotland

• İlkay Gündoğan's second-half goal keeps Germany top of Group D
• Twice Scotland cancelled out Thomas Müller goals before half-time
• Germany in sight of France while Scotland fall four points off third place
• Next games: Scotland v Poland, Republic of Ireland v Germany (8 October)

İlkay Gündoğan finished off a superb move to ensure qualifying Group D leaders Germany took a huge step towards UEFA EURO 2016 despite conceding two equalisers in Scotland.

As expected the world champions dominated possession in the early stages and they made the breakthrough inside 18 minutes in Glasgow. Predictably, it was their talisman Thomas Müller who found a way through the packed Scots defence, his shot taking a deflection off Russell Martin to wrong-foot David Marshall.

Surprisingly the home side were on level terms ten minutes later. Manuel Neuer could only parry Shaun Maloney's free-kick and the ball broke off Mats Hümmels into the net.

Thomas Müller makes it 2-1©Getty Images

Germany's response was swift and minutes later Müller headed in off the post after Marshall had repelled Emre Can's initial shot. Scotland roared back again just before the break, James McArthur driving high into the net from the edge of the area

Mario Götze had the ball in the Scotland net in the 50th minute but his effort was ruled out for offside. No matter; four minutes later Can set Müller away and the scorer turned provider as he and Gündoğan produced a passing exchange that left Scotland bamboozled – and the Borussia Dortmund man with the easy task of placing the ball in the net.

Both teams had chances as the half continued, yet Germany were able to keep Scotland at bay and are now assured of a top-three finish. A draw in the Republic of Ireland on 8 October would book Germany's qualification. Scotland trail third-placed Ireland by four points and can afford no more slips next month.