Sunday 29 March 2015 22:19, UK
First-half goals from Marco Reus and Thomas Muller secured a 2-0 win for world champions Germany over Georgia in their Group D European Qualifier.
Reus swept home a loose ball in the 39th minute before Muller doubled Germany’s advantage just before half-time with a rebound for his fifth goal in qualifying.
Joachim Low's men had chances for more and never looked in danger of conceding, but it was still not the most inspiring of performances from a side who have struggled notably since lifting the World Cup in Rio de Janeiro.
They are now on 10 points, along with Scotland, who overcame the ignominy of becoming the first side to concede a competitive goal to Gibraltar to thrash the minnows 6-1.
Both Germany and Scotland are a point behind leaders Poland, who drew 1-1 with Republic of Ireland after Shane Long's injury-time equaliser cancelled out Slawomir Peszko's 26th-minute opener.
A single goal from Claudiu Keseru was enough for Romania to see off the Faroe Islands and remain top of Group F.
The Al-Gharafa forward struck in the 20th minute and though there were other opportunities for the home team, an improved Faroes defence restricted them to a 1-0 scoreline.
Romania remain a point ahead of Northern Ireland, who defeated Finland 2-1 thanks to a brace from Kyle Lafferty, with substitute Berat Sadik scoring an injury-time consolation for the Scandinavian side.
Third-placed Hungary failed to keep pace with the top two as they were held to a goalless draw at home by basement side Greece.
Panagiotis Kone had a great opportunity to double Greece's campaign goal tally four minutes after the restart but headed straight at Gabor Kiraly from six yards out. That was as close as either side would come in what proved to be a night to forget in Budapest.
Portugal leapfrogged Denmark at the top of Group I after beating Serbia 2-1 in Lisbon.
Ricardo Carvalho gave the hosts an early lead but Chelsea's Nemanja Matic levelled with an acrobatic scissor-kick on the hour mark.
Portugal regained the advantage just two minutes later as Joao Moutinho crossed for Fabio Coentrao to finish at the back post and this time they held on to secure the points.
Mergim Mavraj and Shkelzen Gashi scored in the final 13 minutes as Albania claimed a 2-1 win over 10-man Armenia, who went ahead through Yura Movsisyan but had Hovhannes Hambardzumyan sent off to turn the clash in their opponents' favour.
