Müller strikes twice for Germany

Germany 3-0 Czech Republic

Muller 13', 65' Kroos 49'

Thomas Müller scored another brace for his country as Germany eased to a 3-0 win over the Czech Republic in Hamburg.

The Bayern Munich forward gave Germany the lead early on with a neat finish after good work by Mario Götze and Mesut Özil.

Toni Kroos made it 2-0 shortly after the break with a superb finish from distance, and Müller got his second midway through the second half, wrapping up the win with a close-range finish.

Coach Joachim Löw demanded a stronger attacking performance from his side, with a shyness in front of goal ultimately costing them at the European Championship.

But there were no such problems on a cold Saturday night at the Volksparkstadion, with a near full-strength Germany causing a timid Czech Republic side problems from the start.

Germany opened the scoring in the 13th minute after a slick move including three of their brightest players on the night. Götze's dangerous run had the visitors' defence stretched, he found Özil who helped the ball onto Müller to finish well into the bottom corner.

It was Müller's first goal in nearly a month, and there were others that felt they could get on the scoresheet. Julian Draxler enjoyed a lively game and almost doubled Germany's lead when he bent a shot a whisker wide of the post after Götze had found him.

 With the second half barely five minutes old, Germany moved 2-0 up – and it was a beautiful finish by Toni Kroos from outside the box. Joshua Kimmich, who started at right-back again after his goal-scoring international debut against Norway last month, created the chance with a driving run and cross from the right, and Kroos delicately guided the ball into the bottom corner with a first-time shot.

Czech Republic struggled to trouble Germany at all on the night, with Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels reunited in central defence on a quiet night for the German defence.

The victory was not in doubt after the second, but Müller added a third to notch up another win for Löw's side, stabbing in from close-range after Özil and Hector combined.

Germany host Northern Ireland in Hanover on Tuesday night as they look to maintain their 100 percent start to World Cup 2018 qualifying.