Leitner inspires Germany against FYROM

Moritz Leitner's hat-trick and two goals from Shawn Parker have put Germany in sight of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship finals.

Leitner struck in Germany's 3-0 win against Hungary that opened their elite round Group 7 campaign in Antalya, and this second victory has left them able to clinch a place in Romania when they play Turkey on Sunday. As the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia lost 3-1 to the hosts on Tuesday, they are now out.

Germany took an 18th-minute lead when Andrej Efremov brought down Leitner in the box and the Borussia Dortmund midfielder stepped up to convert. He came close again from a free-kick and goalkeeper Efremov denied Parker but in first-half added time Leitner scored with a second penalty following Tome Kitanovski's foul on Nico Schulz.

There was no let-up from Christian Ziege's team after the break as both Shkodran Mustafi and Leitner hit the crossbar. Parker made it 3-0 midway through the half and claimed his second with eight minutes left on the rebound when Leitner was denied a hat-trick of penalties. Still, three minutes later Leitner did have his third, turning in Schulz's cross.