Müller lead Germany to win

Bayern Munich's Thomas Müller scored two goals, as Germany began their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with a narrow win over a competitive Scotland. Müller netted either side of Ikechi Anya's equalizer.

The side that Joachim Löw fielded against the Scots in Dortmund was a rather different animal to the team that won the World Cup only two months ago in Brazil.

Slotted in at right and left full-back respectively was the young duo of Hoffenheim's Sebastian Rudy and Borussia Dortmund's Erik Durm, while the pair of substitutes responsible for the lone goal in the World Cup final, Mario Götze and André Schürrle, both got starting nods.

Striker Mario Gomez was on the bench after a performance in Germany friendly against Argentina on Wednesday that prompted his coach to publicly defend him. Indeed, the oldest player on the pitch for the DFB-Team was 28-year-old keeper Manuel Neuer.

If Germany are going to book another triumph at the 2016 European Championship in France, it will be with a younger core until the injury list clears up.

Far from displaying the post-World Cup hangover many people feared, Germany were switched on right from the start, racking up more than 75 percent of possession in the first half and generating pressure on both flanks.

Germany didn't miss a true center forward at all, as Müller was able to get his head to a series of crosses. In the 18th minute, he looped one in over Scotland keeper David Marshall with new man Rudy providing an excellent assist from the right side.

Defensive holes not yet plugged

Germany's central defense of Jerome Boateng and Benedikt Höwedes is hardly Löw's first choice, and that showed just after the restart. Scotland striker Steven Naismith schooled both of Germany's big men and beat Neuer, only to hit the outside of the post.

Indeed, in the first 15 minutes of the second half, Scotland got three good looks at goal, compared to only one promising shot by Marco Reus. Germany pushed forward, but in the 66th minute Ikechi Anya - who plays in the second division in England - got behind the back four with great pace and fired in a low shot past Neuer to level.

The lead lasted five minutes until it was Müller's time once more. The indefatigable forward pounced on a loose ball in front of goal and hammered it into the roof of the net. It was no thing of beauty, but it was a demonstration that Germany have kept the physical presence crucial to their World Cup win.

Götze should have put the game on ice in the following minutes, but he was luckless with two golden chances. Germany held on for the win but may have lost Reus. Just back from injury, he limped off the pitch in the closing minute after taking a knock to the knee.

Joachim Löw will be happy with the three points, but perhaps less than pleased with how much trouble Germany had against this opponent. In Germany's group, the Republic of Ireland beat Georgia 2-1, and Poland hammered Gibraltar 7-0.