Half-Time Report: Germany picking off Gibraltar with ease in Euro 2016 qualifier

Two Thomas Muller goals and a Mario Gotze strike have put Germany on course for a Euro 2016 qualifying walkover against Group D whipping boys Gibraltar.

The predatory Muller poached twice before the half-hour mark and Gotze put the world champions 3-0 ahead in Nuremberg seven minutes before the break.

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Gibraltar conceded the 18th goal of their first competitive qualifying campaign when a cross from right-back Shkodran Mustafi fooled visiting keeper Jamie Robba by bouncing off the near post and into the path of Muller, who controlled and then converted the rebound.

Defender Jerome Boateng sensed an opportunity against the minnows to get himself a rare goal, and he curled a 20-yard shot narrowly wide of the post before forcing Robba into a save with a long-range drive.

Germany's attackers were enjoying themselves too and Muller made it two on 29 minutes. This time the cross came from the other flank as Lukas Podolski's drilled ball across the six-yard box was easily tapped home.

Muller was also involved in the home side's third, as he exchanged passes with Bayern teammate Gotze on the edge of the area, before the latter wriggled into the box and found the bottom corner with his left foot.

Having not previously boasted a threat, Gibraltar nearly got on the scoresheet in spectacular fashion on 44 minutes when Liam Walker's 30-yard half-volley forced Manuel Neuer into a scrambling save around his post.