Serge Gnabry scored as Germany beat Romania to make it two wins from two in Group J of FIFA World Cup qualifying.

Romania 0-1 Germany
Goals: 0-1 Gnabry (16’)

The opening stages saw both sides exchange attempts on goal. Borussia Dortmund’s Emre Can – starting at left-back – curled one over from 18 yards; Claudiu Keseru fired over; Kai Havertz was denied by the leg of goalkeeper Florin Nita; and Valentin Mihaila failed to test Manuel Neuer with a wild effort when in behind. Die Mannschaft soon made an attack tell, though, when Havertz ran onto Antonio Rüdiger’s long ball before squaring for Gnabry to tap home. Bayern Munich teammate Joshua Kimmich then rattled the crossbar with a rasping effort from 25 yards only moments later. Chances after that remained at a premium in Bucharest as Germany went into the break a goal up.

The four-time world champions kept up their advantage into the second half but, despite a number of chances, failed to improve it. Leon Goretzka had a stinging effort parried by Nita, who was a busy goalkeeper as he denied a brilliant solo effort from Gnabry, starting his run from inside his own half, that was destined for the bottom corner. He then reacted quickly to twice deny Ilkay Gündogan from close range but was a helpless bystander when Leroy Sane squandered a golden chance to make it 2-0 as he skewed Gnabry’s cutback wide from only a few yards out. Germany top Group J after two games, joining Armenia as the teams with 100 per cent records. Joachim Löw’s side host North Macedonia in Duisburg in the third and final game of this international break on Wednesday.

Match stats

• Neuer earned his 98th cap (same as Michael Ballack) and is the most experienced member of the current Germany squad. He has 46 more than the next-most: Bayern teammate Kimmich.
• Gnabry scored his 15th Germany goal on his 19th appearance, overtaking the likes of Jupp Heynckes and Franz Beckenbauer in the scoring stakes.
• The Bayern forward has 12 goals and six assists in his 17 Germany games since the 2018 World Cup. No other player has had a hand in more than 10 goals for Die Mannschaft in that time.
• Löw, who will leave his post as Germany coach after UEFA Euro 2020, took charge of his 190th game as the country’s head coach and has a win rate of 64 per cent.
• Germany have now won 18 World Cup qualifiers in a row and are unbeaten in their last 35. Their record is 36 between 1934 and 1985.
• Germany have still never lost a World Cup qualifier away from home in 47 matches (W37, D10).

Line-ups

Romania: Nita – Popescu, Chiriches (c), Tosca, Camora (Burca 46') - Marin, Stanciu - Hagi (Maxim 83'), Tanase (Cicaldau 83'), Mihaila (Man 66') - Keseru (Puscas 66')
Unused subs: Lazar, Radu, Mogos, Nedelcearu, Bancu, Bicfalvi, Cretu
Out: Alibec (groin), Deac (not included), Grigore (knee), Tatarusanu (unavailable)
Coach: Mirel Radoi

Germany: Neuer (c) - Can, Ginter, Rüdiger, Klostermann - Goretzka, Kimmich, Gündogan - Havertz (Werner 77'), Gnabry (Neuhaus 90'+3), Sane (Younes 90'+4)
Unused subs: Leno, Ter Stegen, Max, Tah, Musiala, Wirtz
Out: Brandt (not included), Dahoud (not included), Draxler (not included), Gosens (muscular), Halstenberg (not included), Hofmann (not included), Koch (knee), Kroos (groin), Süle (thigh)
Coach: Joachim Löw

As it happened

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