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Germany 2 Georgia 1: Kruse and Neuer save world champions to seal qualification

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.

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 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.

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.