Germany hit Azerbaijan for six

Miroslav Klose took his tally to three goals in two UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group A games as Germany comprehensively defeated Azerbaijan.

Klose, who scored the winner in the 1-0 victory in Belgium on Friday, struck his first of the night in added time at the end of the first half. That came seconds after Lukas Podolski had doubled the lead given to Joachim Löw's team by Heiko Westermann in the 28th minute. An own goal from Rashad F. Sadygov and further efforts from Holger Badstuber and Klose made it a miserable return to Germany for Azerbaijan coach Berti Vogts, whose side's consolation came through Vagif Dzhavadov just before the hour.

It was a teasing low cross from Dzhavadov, however, which caused Germany alarm early on before the hosts took command, threatening three times through Podolski and via a Westermann header which Kamran Agayev did well to keep out. Westermann, an 11th-minute substitute for the injured Per Mertesacker, opened the scoring at the second attempt following intelligent hold-up play from Klose.

Having exchanged passes with Mesut Özil, 1. FC Köln striker Podolski got the goal he craved on his home ground and then turned provider for Klose. Agayev was beaten by his captain, Sadygov, who deflected in Sami Khedira's cross eight minutes after the break, though the party atmosphere was dampened somewhat when Manuel Neuer, under pressure, failed to keep out Dzhavadov's swerving corner.

Badstuber headed in his first international goal from Özil's corner four minutes from time, setting the stage for Klose to poach his second of the night with virtually the last kick of the game.