Goals at the end of each half from Mario Gomez ensured Germany made it six wins from six matches in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying at the expense of battling neighbours Austria in the Ernst-Happel Stadium.

Germany's heavy first-half possession was rewarded when Gomez bundled the ball home in the aftermath of a corner just before the whistle. Austria, whose qualification hopes are now all but over, picked themselves up admirably and got a deserved equaliser when Arne Friedrich turned David Alaba's cross into his own net only for Gomez to pop up again in the closing seconds to nod home Philip Lahm's fine delivery.

Sami Khedira, something of a surprise inclusion having been passed fit at the eleventh hour, soon made his presence felt when he went in on Martin Harnik but was penalised by the referee. Christian Fuchs took the free-kick for Austria and located Harnik, whose header flew wide from 12 yards.

Germany settled quickly into a groove and Gomez went close after seven minutes with a goalbound shot that needed a smart save from Christian Gratzei. The resulting corner also came close to providing the opener, Mesut Ozil with the ball and Lukas Podolski drilling left-footed against the crossbar.

Having been fouled by Harnik, Toni Kroos found Gomez with a free-kick but, again, the goalkeeper was up to the task. Germany were starving their opponents of the ball, but mustering only half-chances of their own as the game approached the half-hour mark. They also paid the price when Manuel Neuer, the Bayern Munich-bound goalkeeper, misjudged a corner only to see Harnik volley over in a crowded box.

Thomas Muller headed wide after finding space at a corner, but it was the hosts who almost took a half-time lead. A fluid passing movement in the 40th minute freed Florian Klein, who cut the ball across goal for Erwin Hoffer. He did well to step clear of his man, but stabbed wide.

Gomez puts Germany ahead
Ekrem Dag then shot wildly from a decent position, Austria's last chance before Gomez stepped up. Kroos' corner was headed towards the six-yard box by Friedrich and Gomez was on hand to slot home, albeit untidily.

Gomez should have had his second two minutes into the second half when he collected Ozil's pass and neatly turned his man to have a clear sight of goal. He snatched at the shot to remove the danger.

Austria wasted no time in taking advantage, setting up their own attack and freeing the tricky Alaba down the left. He lined up a low cross that alarmed Friedrich enough for the defender to slide in front of Harnik and divert the ball past Neuer. Austria were buoyed and came within inches of scoring again just moments later when Stefan Kulovits' first-time effort touched the outside of the far post, though Neuer was well placed to cover.

Harnik drove wide as Austria continued to take the initiative, with substitute Zlatko Junuzovic also missing the target for the hosts. Gomez proved more clinical for the second time when he headed the winner in the final minute, Lahm finding his far-post run with a delightfully judged deep cross.