Lewandowski hat-trick helps Poland sink Denmark – Mueller brace inspires Germany win

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HAMBURG, Germany, Oct 9, (RTRS): Thomas Mueller scored twice for the second World Cup qualifier in a row to lead dominant Germany to a comprehensive 3-0 win over Czech Republic on Saturday.

Toni Kroos was also on target to leave the world champions on six points from two games in Group C, alongside Azerbaijan after they beat Norway 1-0 in Baku with an early goal by Maksim Medvedev, and firmly on course for the finals in Russia in 2018.

The Czechs, who have one point, won 3-0 on their last visit to Germany in 2007 in the early days of coach Joachim Loew’s long reign but never threatened a repeat.

Germany broke the deadlock after 13 minutes when Mario Goetze burst down the left, his pass into the area was touched on by Mesut Ozil and Mueller scored with a shot which took a slight deflection off a defender.

Wales 1, Georgia 1

In Cardiff, Gareth Bale scored his 25th goal for Wales but Georgia fought back strongly to earn a deserved 1-1 draw in a World Cup Group D qualifier in Cardiff on Sunday.

It left Wales, surprise semi-finalists at Euro 2016, with five points from three games and at risk of losing the group leadership after the day’s later matches.

Georgia took their first point, following narrow defeats by Austria and Ireland.

Finland 0, Croatia 1

In Helsinki, Finland, striker Mario Mandzukic continued his fine scoring form with an opportunist header as Croatia beat Finland 1-0 in their World Cup Group I qualifier in Tampere on Sunday.

The towering target man, who netted a hat-trick in Thursday’s 6-0 away rout of Kosovo, pounced in the 18th minute after Andrej Kramaric turned an inviting Sime Vrsaljko cross into his path.

The result left Croatia top of the section on seven points from three games.

Looking a little flat after demolishing the Kosovans, Croatia were in control apart from a spell of second-half sporadic pressure from the home side.

Poland 3, Denmark 2

In Warsaw, a hat-trick by deadly finisher Robert Lewandowski lifted Poland to a 3-2 victory over Denmark in a thrilling World Cup Group E qualifier on Saturday.

A packed 56,000 crowd at the National Stadium in Warsaw saw the home team go in front in the 20th minute when Kamil Grosicki delivered a cross and Lewandowski scored from close range.

Poland kept attacking, mainly down the wings, and Lewandowski made it 2-0 with a penalty nine minutes before halftime.

Full back Jannik Vestergaard brought down Arek Milik six metres out and Lewandowski sent keeper Kasper Schmeichel the wrong way from the spot.

The Bayern Munich marksman’s third goal came at the start of the second half when he pounced on an error by Vestergaard and powered half the length of the field before slotting the ball beyond Schmeichel.

Slovenia 1, Slovakia 0

In Ljubljana, Slovenia’s Rok Kronaveter scored his first international goal with his first touch of the ball after coming on as a substitute to give his side a 1-0 home win over Slovakia in a scrappy World Cup Group F qualifier on Saturday.

The 29-year-old midfielder, who replaced Jasmin Kurtic in the 72nd minute, took a Josip Ilicic pass in his stride and side-footed home a sublime shot from the edge of the penalty area two minutes later.

The result left Slovenia on four points from two games after their opening 2-2 draw in Lithuania while the Slovakians, who were beaten by England 1-0 at home, have none.

Scotland 1, Lithuania 1

In London, James McArthur’s 89th minute header salvaged a 1-1 draw for Scotland at home to Lithuania in their World Cup qualifying Group F clash at Hampden Park on Saturday.

Scotland’s qualification hopes seemed set for a crushing setback when Fiodor Cernych fired the visitors ahead just before the hour mark but McArthur spared their blushes.

After a dismal first half Scotland were finally beginning to exert some sustained pressure on Lithuania’s goal with Robert Snodgrass and Chris Martin both going close to an opener.

But Cernych silenced the home crowd with a well-worked goal in the 58th minute, playing a delightful one-two before spinning off and powering a shot past Scotland keeper David Marshall.

Cernych should have doubled Lithuania’s lead but blazed wide after a swift counter-attack.

Scotland pushed forward in desperation and finally got their reward when substitute McArthur guided in a close-range header after Callum Paterson’s cross was flicked on by Grant Hanley.

Lithuania survived some intense pressure in five minutes of stoppage time, meaning they, Scotland and Slovenia are all together on four points from two games, two behind leaders England who earlier beat Malta.

Scotland face pointless Slovakia away on Tuesday while Lithuania host Malta.

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