/world sport
CARDIFF, Wales -- Germany cruised to within touching distance of qualification for the Euro 2008 finals with a clinical 2-0 victory over Wales in Cardiff.
Klose's double strike takes his goalscoring tally for Germany to 35 in 70 internationals.
The outcome of this Group D clash was never in doubt from the moment Miroslav Klose put Germany ahead after just five minutes.
Germany's attack sliced through the Welsh defence and Kevin Kuranyi slid a pass to his captain for the 28-year-old to put his side ahead.
Wales were never really in the match and allowed Klose a free header for the second on the hour, taking his tally for his country to 35 in 70 matches.
Tottenham defender Gareth Bale was robbed by midfielder Roberto Hilbert -- and his cross was met by Klose's bullet header.
With Michael Ballack and Torsten Frings out through injury, as well as Bernd Schneider serving a one-match suspension, the role of chief Germany playmaker went to Bastian Schweinsteiger.
The Bayern Munich star earned his man-of-the-match award and out-shone his captain with a superb performance, as Germany underlined their status as run-away Group D leaders.
Germany are still unbeaten in the group with seven wins out of eight and are five points clear of the second-placed Czech Republic, having scored 31 goals along the way.
In the group's other two matches, the Czech Republic cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory in San Marino while the Republic of Ireland's qualification hopes took a knock when they conceded an injury goal to draw 2-2 in Slovakia. E-mail to a friend 
| Most Viewed | Most Emailed |
From the Blogs: 
Sit tight, we're getting to the good stuff
