World Cup Update: Germans Hit Irish for Six in Dublin

Germany hammered six goals past the Republic of Ireland in Group 3. Two goals from Marco Reus before half time were augmented by a Mesut Özil penalty and further scores from Miroslav Klose and Toni Kroos with still half an hour to go.

Kroos returned for a sixth to give Sunderland’s Irish keeper Kieren Westwood a day to forget.

The result with the most consequences was perhaps Romania’s 0-1 win in Turkey in Group 4. With the Dutch dispatching Andorra 3-0, the two winners are set to tun away from Romania and Hungary, despite the latter’s 0-1 win in Estonia.

Wales came from behind to beat Scotland 2-1 in Cardiff in Group 1 but it was away wins for Croatia and Belgium that will change the outlook for the top of the group. Belgium won 0-3 in Serbia, courtesy of goals from Christian Benteke, Kevin De Bruyne and Kevin Mirallas.

Vedran Corluka put Croatia on the road to a 1-2 win in Macedonia. Belgium and Croatia move onto seven points and have home games to come on Tuesday.

Bulgaria and Denmark drew 1-1 in Italy’s group leaving the Danes with two draws in their first two games and yet to make an impact. Italy and the Czechs are also unbeaten in a group so far redolent with drawn games.

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