FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Sweden 3 Germany 5

Andre Schurrle’s hat-trick ensured Germany of a 5-3 win over Sweden in their final FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Friends Arena on Tuesday.

Germany finish Group C unbeaten but had to come from behind to do so, with Tobias Hysen and Alexander Kacaniklic putting the home side ahead within 42 minutes.

However, Mesut Ozil pulled one back for the visitors prior to the break before early second-half goals from Mario Gotze and Schurrle put Germany ahead.

While Hysen’s second briefly turned up the heat on Joachim Low’s men, Schurrle completed his treble to gain revenge on Sweden – who are the only team to take points off Germany in qualification.

Sweden’s main changes were in their forward line, with Ola Toivonen and Hysen replacing Zlatan Ibrahimovich, who was suspended, and Johan Elmander up front.

Joachim Low had made no secret of his desire to experiment with Germany’s line-up and he made two changes. Mats Hummels came in for Per Mertesacker in defence while Max Kruse replaced Sami Khedira.

Bastian Schweinsteiger won his 100th cap while Kruse’s inclusion saw Ozil drop into a deeper role than during Friday’s 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland.

The hosts took the lead when Hysen coolly slotted home after just six minutes as Germany conceded a goal in the opening 45 minutes for the first time in qualification.

The forward latched on to a Sebastian Larsson throughball, which Toivonen did well to steer clear of, before sidefooting the ball past the onrushing Manuel Neuer.

Thomas Muller saw his header bounce back off the crossbar five minutes later as Germany applied plenty of pressure in an attempt to get back on level terms.

However, Low’s men were frustrated by a resolute Sweden defence, and they did not threaten again until Schweinsteiger curled an effort over seven minutes from the break.

Sweden, though, doubled their lead through Kacaniklic when he converted from inside the area.

The Fulham striker timed his run well to stay onside and fire home past Neuer after Kim Kallstrom’s lofted ball.

On the stroke of half-time, Ozil marked his 25th birthday with a goal, pulling one back for the visitors when his right-footed effort left Johan Wiland with no chance.

Germany were level soon after the break, courtesy of a curled finish from substitute Gotze.

The Bayern Munich midfielder, a replacement for Muller, bent his right foot around the ball in the box, after good work from Ozil to set up the chance, to restore parity eight minutes into the second half.

Schurrle put Germany ahead for the first time in the match when he latched on to a mistake from Per Nilsson three minutes short of the hour mark and Germany capitalised on another Sweden mistake to move two goals clear nine minutes later.

Gotze kept posession well after Mikael Antonsson lost the ball, playing in Schurrle, who kept his composure to complete a brace.

Still the goals continued, with Hysen emphatically crashing home a Larsson free-kick from the left after 69 minutes before Germany hit back as Schurrle completed his hat-trick.

He cut onto his right foot before curling an effort past a helpless Wiland 14 minutes from time to cap off a superb performance.