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Thomas Müller (c.) came off the bench to give Germany three points in FIFA World Cup qualifying against Romania.
Thomas Müller (c.) came off the bench to give Germany three points in FIFA World Cup qualifying against Romania. - © Martin Rose/Getty Images
Thomas Müller (c.) came off the bench to give Germany three points in FIFA World Cup qualifying against Romania. - © Martin Rose/Getty Images
bundesliga

Supersub Thomas Müller scores winner as Germany earn 2-1 win over Romania

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Thomas Müller came off the bench to help Germany come from behind to beat Romania 2-1 in FIFA World Cup qualifying after Serge Gnabry had levelled proceedings in Hamburg.

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Germany 2-1 Romania
Goals: 0-1 Hagi (9’), 1-1 Gnabry (52’), 2-1 Müller (81’)

Germany thought they had a penalty inside seven minutes when former RB Leipzig and VfB Stuttgart forward Timo Werner was brought down in the box. Captain for the night Joshua Kimmich was ready to take during a long VAR review before the referee overturned his original decision. Romania then went straight up the other end and took the lead through an excellent solo goal by Ianis Hagi as he slalomed his way into the box. Hansi Flick’s side remained very much on the front foot and ended the first half with 75 per cent possession. Gnabry was the principal threat with several half chances but Germany failed to find a way through a compact Romanian defence.

The visitors started the second half brightly but Die Mannschaft got the crucial next goal when Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus teed up Gnabry to hit one from the edge of the box and the Bayern Munich man found the far bottom corner. The game continued to follow a similar pattern as the first half with Germany dominating proceedings but clear-cut chances at a premium. That was until the most experienced member of the squad, Müller, came on and did what he’s done so often for club and country, ghosting into space unmarked and turning in Leon Goretzka’s flick-on at a corner. Germany move onto 18 points from seven games and stretch their lead at the top of Group J to six ahead of North Macedonia, who Flick’s side visit next on Monday, 11 October.

Match stats

  • Gnabry brought up his 20th international goal in only his 30th senior appearance for Germany, as well as contributing six assists.
  • He’s got four goals in as many games under Flick.
  • Only fellow Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka (five assists) has had more goal involvements in the Flick era.
  • Müller made his 107th international appearance. Only six players have represented Germany on more occasions. His goal was his 40th for Die Mannschaft.
  • In Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Karim Adeyemi and Nico Schlotterbeck, Flick has called up four players still eligible for Germany's U21s.
  • Germany maintained their perfect record since Flick succeeded Joachim Löw as coach with four games played, four won, 14 goals scored, and only one conceded.

Line-ups

Germany: Ter Stegen – Hofmann (Klostermann 85’), Süle, Rüdiger, Kehrer - Kimmich (c), Goretzka - Gnabry, Reus (Havertz 67’), Sane - Werner (Müller 67’)
Unused subs: Leno, Schlotterbeck, Ginter, Musiala, Neuhaus, Adeyemi, Raum, Wirtz
Out: Neuer (groin)
Doubtful: -
Coach: Hansi Flick 

Romania: Nita – Rus, Chiriches (c), Burca (Manea 50’) – Ratiu, Stanciu (Albu 82’), Marin, Tosca – Hagi (Maxim 60’), Puscas (Mitrita 82’), Mihaila (Ivan 60’)
Unused subs: Vlad, Aioani, Cicaldau, Bancu, Keseru, Cordea, Morutan
Out: -
Coach: Mirel Radoi

As it happened

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