The Bayern Munich forward was on target twice as the reigning World Champions got their qualifying campaign off to the flawless against Norway, with Joshua Kimmich grabbing the other goal in 3-0 rout.
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And it was the Bayern Munich forward who supplied the assist for Germany’s second, which club-mate Joshua Kimmich emphatically dispatched in first-half stoppage-time for his maiden senior worldwide goal.
But Mueller edged the Germans ahead on the quarter-hour as the Bayern forward, having fluffed his first attempt, reacted quickest amid a chaotic scramble to shoot beyond Jarstein, the Norway goalkeeper unable to keep the ball out as it squirmed inside the far post.
“We controlled everything, we didn’t allow Norway to get into the game and we didn’t allow them any scoring chances”, said Loew.
Thomas Muller scored twice for the world champions as he netted either side of a Joshua Kimmich effort.
The former Real Madrid attacking midfielder started the match and played for the entire 90 minutes, as Joachim Low’s side won 3-0.
The results: Group C: Czech Republic drew with Northern Ireland 0-0; Norway lost to Germany 0-3; San Marino lost to Azerbaijan 0-1.
Wayne Rooney became England’s most capped outfield player, surpassing the record he held with David Beckham, by making a 116th appearance.
Also on Sunday night, Nigerian-born Alfred Effiong scored Malta’s only goal as they went down 5-1 at home to Scotland in their World Cup qualifier.
Slovenia staged a late fightback to draw 2-2 at Lithuania.
In the other games from this group, Denmark beat Armenia 1-0 and Romania and Montenegro played out a 1-1 draw.
Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen got the victor for Denmark, while Poland were 2-0 up in Kazakhstan before squandering their lead.
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Poland threw away a two-goal lead, secured by Bartosz Kapustka and captain Robert Lewandowski, to draw 2-2 in Kazakhstan.
