Germany lived up to their role as overwhelming favourites in the World Cup qualifier against San Marino. The world champions won 8-0 in Serravalle on Friday evening and now boast 12 points, with 16 goals scored and not a single one conceded. Germany, who were without pillars like captain Manuel Neuer and Jérôme Boateng, top the table ahead of Northern Ireland on seven points.
The 3,851 crowd who braved driving rain saw Sami Khedira, hat-trick man Serge Gnabry, two-goal Jonas Hector and Kevin Volland score for Germany. In addition, San Marino's Mattia Stefanelli put through his own goal. Max Meyer was denied by the post, and Thomas Müller forced San Marino netminder Aldo Simoncini into three saves.
All three Bayern pros in Joachim Löw's squad played the full 90 minutes in Germany's last competitive fixture of the year. Mats Hummels and Joshua Kimmich took up station in central defence, whereas Müller featured on the right flank, took the captain's armband midway through the second half and set up two goals. Kimmich too set up a goal.
Germany will take on Italy in a friendly in Milan on Tuesday, their last match in 2016.
Lewandowski scores brace in Romania
Robert Lewandowski too had a successful evening. The Bayern striker scored two goals in Poland's 3-0 victory away to Romania. Kamil Grosicky opened the scoring early into the contest before Lewandowski sealed the victory, driving home from ten yards with ten minutes to go and netting an injury-time penalty. The Poland captain now tops the scoring chart on seven goals.
The result means Poland have ten points, topping the table in Group E ahead of Montenegro on seven. Poland face Slovenia in a friendly on Monday.