Kimmich brace as Germany coast to 4-0 over 10-man Luxembourg

Captain Joshua Kimmich led the way with a brace as Germany defeated 10-man Luxembourg 4-0 on Friday, and went top in their World Cup qualifying group because Slovakia lost in Northern Ireland.

David Raum opened the scoring with a 12th-minute free-kick, Kimmich converted a 21st-minute penalty over which Luxembourg defender Dirk Carlson was sent off for handball.

Lively Serge Gnabry in the 48th and Kimmich two minutes later completed the victory.

Germany go top in group

Germany were not glorious but utterly dominant and professional, with no margin for error after losing their group opener 2-0 in Slovakia last month.

Slovakia stumbled 2-0 in Northern Ireland on the night, which sent Germany top on goal difference ahead of Northern Ireland and Slovakia.

Only the group winner qualifies directly for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Germany visit Northern Ireland on Monday, when Slovakia host bottom side Luxembourg. The final matches are in November.

Nagelsmann happy

"It was a deserved victory which we also needed tonight," coach Julian Nagelsmann told broadcasters ARD.

"Many things which we wanted to do were good. We could have maybe scored a few more. If the opposition defends so deep the one man more is no real factor. It was good that we won the ball back quickly on many occasions."

Raum said: "It was important that we were alert from the kick-off and scored early. The red card also helped. We were sharp when we lost the ball, that's the spirit we need. We didn't allow anything at the back and are happy to win with a clean sheet."

Woltemade plays but doesn't score

Nick Woltemade was fit to start after suffering from flu early in the week but the Newcastle striker again failed to register a first Germany goal before being subbed off on the hour.

Centre back Nico Schlottereck returned from injury while Kimmich was the right back again after being fielded in midfield, where he plays at Bayern Munich, in the last two matches.

Kimmich had an early shot saved by goalkeeper Anthony Moris, and a fourth-minute goal was nullified upon review because Gnabry's shot was deflected in by Woltemade's arm.

Set piece goals and a red card

But there was nothing wrong when Raum curled a free-kick over the wall and into the bottom right corner for 1-0 in the 12th for his first Germany goal.

Another handball in the Luxembourg penalty area, this time from Carlson in a duel with Gnabry, also went to a review which resulted in the defender being sent off and Kimmich calmly sending Moris the wrong way from the spot in the 21st.

Two more after the break

Germany finally also scored from open play when Gnabry drilled his 24th Germany goal into the top far corner in the 48th. Kimmich poked home for 4-0 in a goalmouth scramble after a Raum corner kick two minutes later.

Playmaker Florian Wirtz, who has had a difficult start at Liverpool, his best moment when he hit the right post with a 61st-minute free-kick.

Eintracht Frankfurt's Nathaniel Brown came on late for Raum for a maiden cap in a match where Luxembourg never seriously threatened goalkeeper Oliver Baumann in his Hoffenheim home stadium.