Wales lose out to Germany

Wales 0 Germany 2

Germany cruised to within touching distance of qualification for the Euro 2008 finals with a clinical 2-0 humbling of Wales in Cardiff.

The outcome of this Group D clash was never in doubt from the moment Miroslav Klose put Germany ahead after just five minutes.

Wales suffered from the loss of their skipper Craig Bellamy, because of his baby daughter’s illness, but they were never really in this match and allowed Klose a free header for the second on the hour, taking his tally for his country to 35 in 70 internationals.

Earnshaw broke away to fire a 20-yard shot just over the angle, before Lukas Podolski came on for Kuranyi on 72 minutes.

Andrew Crofts came on for the hard-working Davies on 78 minutes, Wales still showing spirit if not creative ability.

Klose was taken off on 87 minutes, his job done, allowing Patrick Helmes into the action.

Wales won only their second corner in the 88th minute, and that said it all about this one-sided contest.