ASTANA, Kazakhstan (AP) — Thomas Mueller scored and played a role in two other goals as Germany cruised to a 3-0 win in Kazakhstan in a World Cup qualifier on Friday.
The victory leaves Germany in control of Group C of European qualifying, ahead of Sweden.
Mueller played a part in Bastian Schweinsteiger's 20th-minute goal, Mario Goetze netted in the 22nd off a pass from Mueller, who completed the win in the 74th.
Germany played Goetze as a "false nine" because the squad's only striker, Mario Gomez, injured his hamstring in practice and had to sit out the match. Several other regulars were also missing because of injury.
The match kicked off at midnight local time on the artificial pitch at Astana Arena.
