Germany hands Turkey 3–0 defeat in Berlin
Germany earned their third win in as many matches in the Euro 2012 qualifiers on Friday, overcoming Turkey in a resounding 3–0 victory at Berlin's Olympiastadion.
A brace from Miroslav Klose and a second-half strike from Mesut Ozil continued Joachim Loew's side's flawless start to the qualifying campaign.
"The team showed they really wanted this and we have earned a deserved victory," the Germany manager said after the victory. "I hadn't expected to win by such a big amount, because it was always going to be a difficult game. For the Turks, the game was always
going to be a matter of honour."
Stalemate broken by Klose before half-time
The first half was a midfield battle, and few chances presented themselves in the first 40 minutes. Sami Khedira hit a strike from the edge of the box with 15 minutes played, but Turkey keeper Volkan Demirel managed to tip his strike wide of the post.
Germany took the lead four minutes before the break, when a speculative cross into the box was met by Thomas Muller, who stretched to head the ball towards the far corner. Demirel parried his effort onto the bar and the upright before Klose headed home the
rebound from close range.
Turkey threatened through Halil Altintop after half time, as the striker stole in at the far post clear but couldn't beat Manuel Neuer, who made an impressive save to keep his team ahead in the game.
Playmaker Mesut Ozil presented Lukas Podolski with a fine opportunity midway through he half, but the number one FC Koln striker missed an open goal in front of an astonished home crowd.
Ozil and Klose put the game beyond doubt
Ozil, who signed for Real Madrid after performing well throughout the World Cup, took matters into his own hands as he doubled Germany's lead in the 79th minute.
The midfielder received Lahm's through ball on the edge of the box before advancing and beating Demirel comfortably at the near post. Having scored in front of around 30,000 Turkish fans, Ozil, who hails from Turkey, declined to celebrate his goal.
Klose scored his 57th international goal in the 86th minute, as Demirel's goal kick failed to clear the German striker, who chested the ball down, advanced toward the Turkish goal and slotted the ball coolly between the keeper's legs to cap off a strong
home performance by Loew's side.
Germany are now top of Group A with nine points, with Turkey in third place with two wins and one loss. Loew's team travels to face Kazakhstan on Tuesday, while Turkey heads to Azerbaijan looking for a response to Friday's defeat.
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