Thomas Muller's effort early in the second half was swiftly cancelled out by a Jaba Kankava strike, but Joachim Low's men ultimately avoided slipping behind Poland in their group

Нервная победа Германии благодаря Крузе и Нейеру

Germany had Max Kruse and Manuel Neuer to thank as they edged through to Euro 2016 in their final qualifier after a nervous 2-1 win over Georgia in Leipzig on Sunday.

The world champions, who needed just a point to be certain of a place in next year's showpiece, missed numerous opportunities to open the scoring in the first half, with Marco Reus the worst culprit in front of goal. 

Thomas Muller appeared to have settled nerves with a penalty early in the second half, only for Jaba Kankava to equalise within four minutes.

Neuer then proved his quality with a pair of stunning saves to prevent Georgia from going ahead, before substitute Kruse settled a tense win by scoring within three minutes of coming on.

The narrow victory means Germany qualify for the tournament as Group D winners, but Joachim Low's men will know they have to be more clinical in front of goal if they are to add the European crown to their world title.

The hosts made their intent known within two minutes when Muller fired in an early shot from the edge of the box that was saved by Nukri Revishvili, before Toni Kroos flashed a volley wide.

The Real Madrid midfielder almost set up Muller with a cleverly-worked free kick, but the Bayern Munich star's stretching effort was just off target.

Low's side continued to attack at pace and Ilkay Gundogan forced Revishvili into a low stop after a neat one-two with Muller. Reus then drew an even better diving stop from the Georgia goalkeeper with a low goal-bound effort.

It was all one-way traffic and Reus missed an absolute sitter with Germany's next chance, somehow blazing over from close range after being sent clean through by a brilliant Muller flick.

Despite Germany's dominance, the fragility of their status in the group was emphasised when Georgia came close to scoring on the break. Valeri Kazaishvili beat Mats Hummels and squared for Tornike Okriashvili, who forced Neuer into an excellent reflex save.

The world champions were soon back on the front foot, but Reus missed another good chance, shooting wide with his left foot after being played in by Gundogan.

The tension was temporarily lifted early in the second half when Germany won a penalty. Ozil drew a foul from Kankava in the corner of the box and Muller calmly stepped up to send Revishvili the wrong way from the resulting spot kick.

Georgia then enjoyed their best period of the match, scoring an equaliser and forcing Neuer to make his second and third brilliant saves of the night. First, Nika Kvekveskiri sent a long-range effort towards the top corner and only a superb one-handed save from the keeper denied him.

From the resulting corner, the visitors ensured Germany's lead had lasted just four minutes. After they had worked a short corner into the box, Germany only half-cleared and were punished when Kankava lashed in an impressive volley, immediately making up for his mistake at the other end.

Georgia almost took the lead when Kazaishvili shot wide after an excellent solo run, before Neuer had to make a brilliant save to push Okriashvili's shot over from point-blank range.

Germany finally kicked back into life following those scares and Reus saw a shot pushed past the post by Revishvili with 20 minutes remaining.

Low replaced the ineffective Andre Schurrle - who had replaced the injured Mario Gotze in the starting line-up - with Kruse and the substitute made a stunning impact.

With 11 minutes remaining, Ozil found Kruse in the area and the Wolfsburg forward finished into the bottom corner with an excellent first-time finish.

Kroos had a late effort pushed wide by Revishvili as Germany held on to seal their ticket to France

•  

   

  FULL TIME! Job done for Germany, who managed to close out a narrow 2-1 victory over Georgia to stay on the top of the Group D pile! Goals from Muller and Kruse were enough for the hosts, despite Kankava's temporarily problematic equaliser. That's all that we have time for from the Redbull Arena, I've been Simon Harrison and I hope to see you again next time.
• 90' + 3'

   

  Ozil cuts back a cross from the left byline, but Kruse can only get on the ball and lash a terrible close-range attempt over the crossbar! Georgia attempt to break, but Okriashvili is felled by a scrappy and cynical challenge by Hummels.
• 90' + 2'

   

  Yellow CardMats Hummels
• 90' + 1'

   

  We're into the first of three added minutes in Leipzig. Kroos tries his luck from the edge of the penalty area, but can only send a deflected effort just beyond the near post.
• 90'

   

  SubstitutionMarco Reus Karim Bellarabi
• 90'

   

  SubstitutionValeri Kazaishvili Aleksandre Kobakhidze
• 89'

   

  Germany are looking to retain possession in the dying stages, with Georgia looking a little bit tired and sluggish when pressing. Khizanishvili's introduction demonstrated the slightly limited offensive nature of the visitors' squad.
• 87'

   

  Qazaishvili ghosts his way through the heart of the Germany midfield, with the Georgian causing some big problems on the counter this evening. Fortunately for the hosts, his sprayed pass out to the right is cut out. Only a few minutes are left for Die Mannschaft to see out.
• 85'

   

  Revishvili comes off his line quickly to make a neat save, before Georgia counter. Vatsadze lines up a long-range attempt on the break, but Neuer is easily able to watch it head very wide of the left-hand post. End-to-end stuff in the dying minutes at the Redbull Arena.
• 83'

   

  Low's men are holding onto the ball neatly, with Gundogan driving forward. Ginter is found on the right, before racing in behind, but an eventual cross from the ex-Freiburg defender is hooked away from danger at the back post. Georgia's balls forward are looking rather aimless at the moment.
• 81'

   

  We're into the final 10 minutes in Leipzig! Germany have their lead to defend, with the home fans a little more relaxed at present. That goal from Kruse could prove to be vital, with Poland's current scoreline against Republic of Ireland looking to be irrelevant as a result.
• 79'

   

  AssistMesut Özil
• 79'

   

   

   

  GoalMax Kruse
  GOOOOOOOOOOOAL! KRUSE MAKES IT 2-1! The substitute comes up big for Die Mannschaft! He is slotted into the penalty area, before guided a neat first-time effort inside the near post! Germany are ahead in the dying stages.
• 78'

   

  SubstitutionNika Kvekveskiri Zurab Khizanishvili
• 77'

   

  Time is not on Germany's side at the moment, with Low's men only having the best part of a quarter of an hour to try and find a winning goal. Kroos tries his luck from 30 yards out, but the effort from the ex-Bayern midfielder is always rising. Meanwhile, Poland are leading Republic of Ireland 2-1.
• 76'

   

  SubstitutionAndre Schürrle Max Kruse
• 75'

   

  Georgia are continuing to try and break with their lone front three, but their forward line is definitely very fractured from the rest of their system. Ozil and Reus combine to find Gundogan in a little bit of space on the edge of the area, but the latter can only see a low drive deflected.
• 73'

   

  Schurrle sees a shot deflected on the edge of the box, with the rebound looping high into the air. Revishvili comes off his line to claim with ease. Germany try to break at pace from deep, but Lobzhanidze tracks back well to deny Reus and halt the hosts' attempts in their tracks.
• 71'

   

  Yellow CardTornike Okriashvili
• 71'

   

  Okriashvili picks up a booking for a challenge on Gundogan, who appears to have dislocated his finger slightly. The Dortmund midfielder is quickly treated on the touchline, with the resulting free-kick delivery from Ozil bouncing dangerously beyond the far upright.
• 69'

   

  Georgia continue to withstand heavy pressure, with their goalkeeper making another solid save. Ginter and Hector are camped deep in the opposition half, but still Low's men can't work an overload that gives their full-backs enough space to deliver a telling cross. Changes may well be needed for the hosts.
• 67'

   

  The away side scamper away on the break, but Vatsadze can only send an awful effort bouncing straight at the goalkeeper. Germany have a big chance moments later, with Schurrle found in space in the box. The ex-Chelsea forward shoots straight at Revishvili.
• 65'

   

  Boateng and Neuer are forced to combine with a rather powerful series of backpasses, as Okriashvili continues to make himself a nuisance up top. The hosts are dominating the ball and trying to ask continued questions of Georgia, but the sheer amount of red shirts is making it difficult for Germany to find a gap to exploit.
• 63'

   

  Revishvili comes away with yet another easy claim, with Ozil unable to snap a neat enough ball back from the byline! If it wasn't for Neuer, Germany could be facing a lot worse of a scenario here tonight. The home fans are watching on nervously.
• 61'

   

  Less than half an hour remains in this game, with Germany needing to find at least one more goal to keep the pace at the summit of their group. If Die Mannschaft slip up tonight, it opens the door for both Poland and Republic of Ireland to take advantage.
• 59'

   

  Easy claim for Revishvili! The goalkeeper comes out to catch a cross from Ginter, with Germany perhaps needing to make a change to switch their approach up. Georgia's five-man back line is suffocating the attempts from the hosts, with Okriashvili able to test Neuer once again on the break! The goalkeeper tips a good effort over the top!
• 57'

   

  Over the top from Qazaishvili! The midfielder dances beyond two challenges, wriggling into a pocket of space just inside the penalty area! Gundogan races across to put on some pressure, with the Georgian lashing a close-range attempt way above the target! Low's men have to be careful!
• 55'

   

  Suddenly, Germany are back to square one. Georgia can now get plenty of men behind the ball, with Die Mannschaft needing to try and part the red sea ahead of them. The visitors are pluckily keeping themselves in this fixture, with the hosts perhaps starting to sweat a little.
• 53'

   

   

   

  GoalJaba Kankava
  GOOOOOOOOOOOAL! KANKAVA MAKES UP FOR HIS MISTAKE! Georgia whip the resulting corner into the penalty area, with the initial delivery half cleared! The captain strikes a 25-yard effort goalwards on the volley, leaving Neuer with absolutely no chance! What a hit!
• 52'

   

  Georgia counter down the right-hand side, after some neat build-up play. Kvekveskiri unleashes a thunderbolt from the edge of the penalty area, but Neuer gets a strong hand up to the effort to push the ball around the post! That was headed for the postage stamp in the top corner.
• 51'

   

  Die Mannschaft immediately go back on the offensive, with Ozil scampering towards the edge of the penalty area! The Arsenal midfielder tries to slip a pass into the box, but resilient Georgian defending stands in the way once again.
• 50'

   

   

   

  Penalty GoalThomas Müller
  GOOOOOOOOOOAL! MULLER MAKES IT 1-0! The Bayern forward sends the goalkeeper the wrong way, tucking a finish into the bottom corner. Calm and composed. Germany lead in Leipzig!
• 49'

   

  Yellow CardNukri Revishvili
• 48'

   

  PENALTY FOR GERMANY! Kankava is the man to give it away, with the ex-Dnipro midfielder dangling out a leg which catches Ozil! Stonewall penalty and Revishvili gets booked for fiddling around with the ball, too.
• 47'

   

  Vatsadze has come into the game at the break, in what is the only change during the interval. The quiet Gelashvili has taken his leave. Germany are immediately on the offensive and looking for their elusive breakthrough goal.
• 46'

   

  SubstitutionNikoloz Gelashvili Mate Vatsadze
• 46'

   

  We are back underway in the second half! Germany have thus far been unable to claw their way in front, with Muller and Reus frustrated by a resolute visiting defence.
•  

   

  HALF TIME! The two sides head into the break with the deadlock remaining unbroken, despite Germany having a hatful of opportunities. Reus could have had a hat trick by now, with Revishvili much the busier of the two goalkeepers. Neuer has only been called into action once, but Georgia still have plenty to play for in Leipzig tonight.
• 45'

   

  Revishvili is happy to take his time with his kicking already, as Georgia look to close out a tightly contested half in Leipzig. Despite not having many chances, the away side have stayed organised to try and frustrate the hosts.
• 43'

   

  Any long balls forward from the away side are being dealt with easily by Hummels and Boateng, but Georgia try to break down the left-hand side regardless. Okriashvili sees a terrible cross cut out, with Germany still only conceding one real opportunity to their opponents.
• 41'

   

  Revishvili now denies Kroos, with the Real Madrid midfielder able to sidestep one challenge, before placing a low shot straight at the goalkeeper! He has definitely been the busier of the two shot-stoppers, but Kverkvelia has to get involved moments later! The central defender slides in well to deny Reus the chance of getting in behind.
• 39'

   

  Hector manages to rustle up an effort from an advanced position on the left-hand side, but yet again Georgia survive with ease. The visitors will be pleased with their defending thus far, as they have constricted and limited Germany to merely a handful of good chances. Not long stands between themselves and the half-time break.
• 37'

   

  Good stop from Revishvili! The goalkeeper is alert to the danger, as Reus is released by a ball over the top! The Dortmund man catches it sweetly on the volley, but the Georgian shot-stopper parries away! Muller keeps the ball alive, but sees a low shot blocked easily!
• 35'

   

  Hector is released down the left-hand side, with Germany taking the time to work the ball from flank to flank in order to find some space. Ginter attempts to slide a pass into the penalty area, but Georgia make a smart interception. The hosts keep the pressure on, with Muller cutting a cross back from the byline, but nobody makes contact with it!
• 33'

   

  Yellow CardGiorgi Navalovski
• 33'

   

  Georgia have got a whole host of red shirts posted behind the ball, with Kroos able to win an easy free kick from Kankava. Moments earlier, Navalovski picked up a deserved yellow card for a late sliding tackle on Muller. Germany are laying siege to a well-populated penalty box.
• 31'

   

  Wide from Reus! The Dortmund man scampers into the box, following a good pass from Gundogan, but places a side-footed finish just wide of the far post! Agonisingly beyond the upright, with the ex-Gladbach forward probably wondering what he has to do in order to get on the scoresheet tonight.
• 29'

   

  Kankava does well to wriggle out of some intense German pressing, with Georgia pressing upfield as a result. A crossfield ball tries to isolate Hector, but the Koln full-back holds his own in the air to head clear. This contest definitely hasn't been all one-way, with the visitors able to piece together some dangerous breaks.
• 27'

   

  Easy save for Revishvili! The goalkeeper gets down low to his left to smother an effort by Ozil! The ex-Real Madrid midfielder lashes an attempt goalwards, but doesn't get the required placement. Georgia then break up the other end, with Okriashvili forcing a great stop out of Neuer!
• 25'

   

  Painful one for Revishvili! Hummels dives into a 50-50 with the Georgia goalkeeper, who catches a knee to the face from the German defender. Fortunately, he is quickly back to his feet, as that incident was purely accidental. The home side are pushing forward desperately, but they're having no luck in front of goal.
• 23'

   

  A long ball into the penalty box is claimed by Revishvili, with Germany continuing to fire blanks during the opening half an hour. Die Mannschaft win themselves yet another corner, but Kroos delivery is hacked away at the near post. Wasteful stuff from the hosts thus far.
• 21'

   

  Qazaishvili tries to break down the right-hand side, but Hector comes across to make a good challenge. Germany counter, with Muller clipping a dangerous cross into the box, but the referee isn't moved by some penalty appeals! The Bayern man wants a spot kick as he believes there was a handball in there somewhere.
• 19'

   

  Reus sees another shot saved by Revishvili! The Dortmund man is causing plenty of problems in and around the box, but his finishing touch is escaping him thus far. Gundogan and the aforementioned forward combine again moments later, but a second pass between the two is cut out nearly. Georgia are staying very narrow.
• 17'

   

  Hector is released down the left-hand side, with the left-back able to pick out Muller in the box. The forward sets back a pass to Kroos, which the former Bayern midfielder fails to lift into the path of Reus. Germany just aren't able to find enough space in a congested penalty area. Georgia are making things as tight as possible.
• 15'

   

  Muller now sees a shot charged down at the near post, with the Bayern man denied by Kashia. It bobbles behind for a corner, which Reus delivers, but the visitors head clear at the near post. The next attack sees a dipping cross-cum-shot from the aforementioned forward sail over the danger area.
• 13'

   

  Over the bar from Reus! What a miss! The former Gladbach man is fed through into the penalty area, with the German forward able to take a touch to set himself! Despite a neat pass by Muller, he can only angle a wild effort over the bar from close range! That should have been 1-0.
• 11'

   

  The home side are enjoying the lion's share of possession, but Georgia are prepared to commit red shirts forward on the break. Die Mannschaft break down the right, with Muller finding Gundogan on the edge of the box, but the Dortmund midfielder can only guide a curling effort within Revishvili's grasp! Moments later, Reus is denied by the goalkeeper, who parries behind for a corner.
• 9'

   

  Kvekveskiri gives away a free kick for a poor sliding tackle on Reus, with Germany able to try their luck from the resulting dead-ball situation. Kroos lines it up, but the Real Madrid midfielder can only find Muller with a clipped delivery. The Bayern forward stabs a poor attempt tamely wide of the near post!
• 7'

   

  Schurrle is found on the periphery of the penalty area, but the Wolfsburg man is denied when shooting on the turn. The rebound falls to a Die Mannschaft player, but Kroos can only guide a half-volleyed effort a few yards wide of the right-hand post!
• 5'

   

  Navalovski is denied after overlapping down the left-hand side, with Boateng able to head an eventual cross easily clear. The hosts try to break upfield at pace and find Reus, but a through ball is shepherded back through to the goalkeeper with consummate ease.
• 3'

   

  Germany work their way down the right-hand side, but a pass set back for Gundogan on the edge of the box is cut out. Low's men are dominating from the very off, but Revishvili remains untested in the Georgia net. Plenty of dangerous players are setting up camp around the penalty area.
• 1'

   

  We are underway in the first half in Leipzig! The hosts are donning their usual black and white, with Georgia wearing a changed strip of all red.
•  

   

  Georgia substitutes: Khizanishvili, Grigalava, Dzalamidze, Tskhadadze, Vatsadze, Kakabadze, Popkhadze, Kobakhidze, Makaridze, Loria, Merebashvili, Palavandishvili.
•  

   

  Georgia starting line-up (5-4-1): Revishvili; Lobzhanidze, Kverkvelia, Amisulashvili, Kashia, Navalovski; Qazaishvili, Kankava, Kvekveskiri, Okriashvili; Gelashvili.
•  

   

  Germany substitutes: Leno, Mustafi, Rudy, Schweinsteiger, Can, Volland, Bellarabi, Kramer, Ter Stegen, Kruse.
•  

   

  Germany starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Ginter, Boateng, Hummels, Hector; Gundogan, Kroos; Muller, Ozil, Schurrle; Reus.
•  

   

  TEAM NEWS: Solomon Kverkvelia comes into what could be a back five for the visitors, with Ucha Lobzhanidze slotting in at right-back. Jaba Kankava and Nika Kvekveskiri retain their places in the heart of the midfield, but overall the Georgian line-up has been overhauled following a comfortable win over Gibraltar last time out. A few key players have been rested and should be raring to go ahead of this fixture.
•  

   

  TEAM NEWS: Low makes one change from the side that lost last time out, with Andre Schurrle coming into the attack in place of Mario Gotze. Otherwise, Mattias Ginter retains his place at right-back, with Koln's Jonas Hector on the opposite flank. Marco Reus, Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller will look to support the aforementioned Wolfsburg man - though the former could feature through the centre.
•  

   

  I'm Simon Harrison and I will be keeping you up to date with all of the action from the Redbull Arena in Leipzig, as Germany look to book their place at the European Championships in France next summer. Things are looking positive for the home team, but three more points would go a long way towards securing a solid group for the competition ahead.
•  

   

  Hello and welcome to live coverage of Georgia's visit to face World Cup holders Germany, as Joachim Low's side look to secure their place at Euro 2016 in style. Die Mannschaft are currently sitting top of Group D with 19 points, but Poland and the Republic of Ireland are hot on their tail. Following a 1-0 defeat to the latter last time out, the hosts need to right their form and storm to victory tonight