REVIVAL TO A PERFECT 10 FOR GERMANS
GERMANY shrugged off a surprise equaliser to maintain their 100 per cent qualifying group record with a comfortable win in Kaiserslautern.
The world champions went ahead after just nine minutes when Leon Goretzka was first to a rebound and scored with a cheeky back-heel finish.
German fans sat back and waited for the goal avalanche, but were in for a shock as Ramil Sheydaev gave keeper Bernd Leno no chance as he placed a precise left-foot shot into the bottom corner.
Normal service was resumed nine minutes into the second half when Julian Brandt scored the first of three German goals in 12 minutes when he rose highest to head home.
With their lead restored, Germany started to ramp up the pressure.
Lars Stindl let loose with a thunderous effort which crashed against the post.
Azerbaijan were not reprieved for long, as another header, this time from Anthony Rudiger (above), made it 3-1 following a Joshua Kimmich corner.
Germany proceeded to turn on the style and scored the fourth goal following a magnificent flowing move.
Goretzka applied the finishing touch with a fine low shot after being set free in the penalty area by Manchester City’s Leroy Sane.
With nine minutes left, Germany scored their fifth thanks to another Premier League contribution.
Liverpool midfielder Emre Can took a pass in his stride, made a little space for himself and smashed a superb long-range effort into the roof of the net.
It was an emphatic response to the early setback and confirmed that the Germans would complete their qualifying for Russia with a perfect record of 10 wins out of 10.