Miroslav Klose scored twice as Group D leaders Germany cruised to a 2-0 victory over Wales in their Euro 2008 qualifier .
Germany cruise at Millennium Stadium
Miroslav Klose scored twice as Group D leaders Germany cruised to a 2-0 victory over Wales in their Euro 2008 qualifier at the Millennium Stadium.
The Bayern Munich striker opened the scoring after just five minutes and added a second after the break as Joachim Low's side dominated throughout.
Wales, missing captain Craig Bellamy, created very little and were often at full stretch as Germany threatened a rout.
Germany took the lead with their first attack as Wales gave away possession on the halfway line and Kevin Kuranyi seized the ball.
Deft finish
The striker advanced towards the area before playing in Klose who left Wayne Hennessey with no chance with his deft first-time finish with the outside of his foot.
Wales were again guilty of surrendering the ball for the second goal as Gareth Bale was caught out by Roberto Hilbert who crossed for Klose to nod home on the hour mark.
Wales never tested Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann at any stage, such was the imbalance of the contest.
The overnight fear that skipper Bellamy would not be involved in this qualifier came to fruition during the day, the West Ham striker having spent two days and nights with his wife at the bedside of their sick baby daughter.
Germany controlled the game with ease, Wales having only Freddy Eastwood on his own up front and midfielders forced deep as they scurried to contain flowing passing movements.
Wales had one fleeting early chance, Sam Ricketts getting down the right to cross for Jason Koumas to lift his shot wide.
Stroll
It took a fine saving tackle from Lewin Nyatanga to stop Kuranyi eight yards out, but Germany continued to stroll their way through the proceedings.
Manager John Toshack needed to do something to inject some purpose into Wales, and he sent on Robert Earnshaw to partner Eastwood at the break, withdrawing Joe Ledley and pushing Bale to full-back.
Germany put an end to Wales' fleeting hopes with a second on the hour. Hilbert got down the right before clipping a cross in for Klose to head past Hennessey from close range.
Menace
Hennessey had to be alert to pull down another Klose effort as Germany continued to play with menace.
Koumas was taken off on 67 minutes, Carl Fletcher taking over. But still Germany motored forward and Klose saw a clever header bounce wide of the far post soon after.
Earnshaw, who worked hard when he came on, broke away to fire a 20-yard shot just over the angle, before Lukas Podolski came on for Kuranyi.
Andrew Crofts came on for the hard-working Davies, but Wales won only their second corner in the 88th minute, and that said it all about this one-sided contest.
