Good evening everyone! A packed week of international football continues this evening as Scotland host Group D leaders Germany in a Euro 2016 qualifying clash. Scotland really need a result to boost their bid to reach next summer's tournament, but can they shock the world champions?

Friday produced very different results for these two teams. Scotland were full of confidence heading into their match, but a 1-0 loss could not have come at a worse stage. Gordon Strachan's side dropped out of third spot and were replaced by Republic of Ireland, who are now in pole position to clinch the playoff place.

Germany were back to their best on Friday. After suffering with a World Cup hangover and losing to Poland early in the campaign, Joachim Low's side delivered a fine display to claim a 3-1 win and move to the top of Group D. In truth, both Germany and Poland should qualify automatically but their improving form is important.

It is quite astonishing how quickly the mood has changed for Scotland, who have switched from a confident squad to a side under pressure after failing to meet expectations in Tbilisi. It will take something special for them to get a result this evening, but you have to assume that they will produce an improved performance.

SCOTLAND: Marshall, Hutton, Mulgrew, R.Martin, Hanley, McArthur, Morrison, Brown, S.Fletcher, Forrest, Maloney

SUBS: Anya, Gordon (GK), Ritchie, Griffiths, Whittaker, Naismith, Russell, D.Fletcher, Greer, McGregor (GK), C.Martin, Forsyth

Scotland have made three changes for the visit of the world champions. Grant Hanley, James McArthur and James Forrest are the players to earn recalls as Ikechi Anya, Steven Naismith and Andrew Robertson drop out. Despite pressure to hand a start to Leigh Griffiths, Strachan decides to stick with Steven Fletcher in attack.

GERMANY: Neuer; Hector, Hummels, Boateng, Can; Kroos, Schweinsteiger, Gundogan; Ozil, Muller; Gotze

SUBS: Zieler, Mustafi, Rudy, Ginter, Schurrle, Podolski, Volland, Bellarabi, Kramer, Ter Stegen, Kruse

Low decides to make just one change to his side after the win over Poland as Karim Bellarabi makes way for Ilkay Gundogan. The change will see the visitors start with three central midfielders, while Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller should support Mario Gotze, who looks set to play centrally.

Emre Can struggled at times against Poland as he made his senior international debut as a right-back. He certainly looks better in a central midfield role, despite often being used as a defender by Liverpool, too. Is he a potential weak link for the Scots to target?

The defeat to Georgia was certainly hard to take, but Strachan used his pre-match press conference to insist that Scotland are confident of causing a shock this evening.

"The players give me hope, the fact we're playing here gives me hope," he told reporters. "In all the games apart from Gibraltar, there's only been one goal of a difference - that gives me hope."

PREVIOUS MEETING: These two sides kicked off the qualifying campaign in Dortmund exactly a year ago, and it was Germany who triumphed in the reverse fixture. Scotland produced an impressive performance and were on course for a draw when Anya cancelled out Muller's opener, but the Bayern forward struck once again to clinch a 2-1 win.

Any chance of Germany being complacent tonight? Think again. Mats Hummels is fully aware how difficult this test could be for the visitors as they prepare to step out in front of a packed Hampden Park.

"[Scotland] are dangerous and it doesn't depend on how they played the last game. We know they have a good team, a strong team and some good individual players and of course a very passionate stadium," the Borussia Dortmund defender told reporters. "It will be a tough game if we let them play, if we let them have chances, the crowd will get enthusiastic and the team will always be better then."

Poland look to have three points in the bank tonight ahead of their meeting with Gibraltar, which Germany will probably need a win to stay top of Group D this evening. Scotland start the night one point behind third-placed Republic of Ireland, who host Georgia in Dublin.

STAT: Germany have faced Scotland in seven competitive matches and are yet to lose against the opposition. They have recorded five victories and two draws.

There is so much pressure on Steven Fletcher tonight. In truth, the striker is unlikely to see much of the ball over the course of 90 minutes but he needs to be busy off the ball and give this Germany defence something to be concerned about. One look at Twitter after the loss to Georgia suggested that a few Scottish fans are losing patience with the Sunderland forward. Leigh Griffiths misses out again, so Fletcher must repay the faith in him.

PREDICTION: How can you stop Germany? Scotland must be positive when they do get the ball, but much of their game is going to be about defensive shape and pressing the visitors in possession. One mistake will be enough to gift Germany a breakthrough. It could be tough for the world champions, but they just look to have too much attacking talent for Scotland tonight. I'm going for a 3-0 away win.

A quick reminder that Germany will qualify this evening with a victory if Ireland lose to Georgia. I'm sure Martin O'Neill's side are confident of making them wait for another month.

The two sides are out at Hampden Park. Fantastic noise coming from the home supporters as the bagpipes are played throughout 'Flower of Scotland' before the match.

KICKOFF: Germany get the game underway and the jeers begin as the visitors start to knock the ball around.

The instructions are clear for Scotland. They are pressing the ball high up the pitch, with Morrison and McArthur attempting to get close to Schweinsteiger and Kroos.

Scotland only seem to be pressing when Germany are in possession in deeper positions. Strachan's side appear to be more than happy to keep men behind the ball when the visitors progress into their half of the pitch. Plenty of touches for Kroos early on.

Good defending on the left from Hector, who halts the run from Hutton before blocking a cross from Forrest a few moments later to win the ball back for his side.

Poor from Scotland. Gundogan drifts into space in midfield before finding a free Ozil, who is gifted far too much space and eventually fires a shot against Martin. They must react quicker.

The game has settled down pretty quickly. Germany are dominating possession, but are being forced to search for space in the final third of the pitch. That will be the pattern throughout the evening. Gotze almost turns Hanley after being found by Kroos, but he is unable to get the ball under control.

Great defending from Scotland. Germany have possession in midfield for almost two minutes, but the hosts force them from side to side before they are eventually forced to try a difficult chip to Gundogan, who is ushered out of play by Hanley.

Strachan should be pretty happy with this start. Scotland have not seen much of the ball, but we are yet to see an opportunity at either end. However, the hosts need to find a way to hold the ball up further up the pitch as Germany begin another venture forward.

Germany make the breakthrough. Scotland really could not afford to concede an early goal, but they do as Muller collects the ball 25 yards from goal before sprinting into space and unleashing a low effort which takes a deflection to leave Marshall helpless. It could go down as a Martin own goal.

Scotland get a chance to make an immediate response when they win a free kick, but with plenty of players in the box, Mulgrew's delivery is just not good enough.

Perhaps I'm being slightly harsh on Muller, but I'm certain he was not scoring unless that shot took a deflection. We shall see what UEFA think about the goal! Scotland have recovered from the setback well and are starting to see more of the ball.

It has been 11 years since Germany lost a match after scoring first. Worrying for the hosts. Germany asking questions again as Muller links with Gundogan, but the midfielder is offside as he sends a shot against Hanley.

Can is caught out of position after a mistake and he pulls back Mulgrew on the edge of the box out wide. He's lucky not to be booked.

Scotland draw level! What a moment for the passionate supporters inside Hampden Park. Maloney delivers a brilliant free kick from the left and Neuer can only parry the ball when it bounces in front of him. Unfortunately for the goalkeeper, the ball hits Hummels and bounces in. That's two own goals tonight for me. What have Scotland got from here?

Germany are settling back down and enjoying possession, but Scotland's good defensive shape is preventing them from making much progress. Ozil has been on the fringes since the first whistle. The visitors need to get him involved.

The excitement is building at Hampden Park. Forrest does well to beat Schweinsteiger and Hector on the left, but his cross is easily cleared by Hummels. Scotland then breathe a sigh of relief when Hanley misses a clearance before Marshall collects with Gotze lurking in the box.

Thomas, you can have that one! Germany retake the lead and Ozil is involved as he comes in from the left to find Gotze. The Bayern Munich attacker keeps his composure in the box to send the ball across from Can, whose strike from the right is straight at Marshall but the goalkeeper can only parry it. Muller reacts quickest to head home off the post from close range, despite Martin's best efforts to clear it off the line.

A few of Germany's players are furious. Gundogan goes down holding his face after a collision off the ball, but replays prove that Brown didn't make much contact with the Dortmund midfielder. The referee isn't interested in making more of the situation.

Germany come close to another goal as Schweinsteiger sends the ball out wide to Gundogan, whose cross is controlled on the chest and volleyed home on the turn by Gotze, but he was at least a yard offside in the box.

Can has not been convincing in defence, but he is keen to get forward as much as possible and delivers a cross which is just too strong for Ozil, who can't get enough on the header.

Martin produces a superb block to keep out a Gotze strike which looked destined for the bottom corner, but the whistle goes for a handball from the German forward. Scotland are hanging on before the break.

Hanging on?! Strachan's resilient Scotland side peg back the world champions for the second time with a fantastic finish from McArthur. Maloney's corner is poor, but the ball drops the McArthur, who keeps his composure to beat Neuer with a side-foot half-volley from just inside the box. Neuer could only get fingertips to the strike. Scotland just need to get to the interval now.

Scotland are being pushed back once again, but Martin does well to stay on his feet to dispossess Ozil in the box.

This is becoming a very special night at Hampden Park. Germany have twice taken the lead, but Scotland have stuck to their task well and enter the break level thanks to that James McArthur goal. In truth, they have not created many opportunities but they are doing enough to stay in the match. Can they hold on for a famous result?

Is there more celebrating to be come for the Scots tonight? Germany are certain to hit back and it would be a shock if they do not create some clear chances in the second half. It will take a heroic defensive display to keep them out.

UPDATE: Perhaps the least surprising news of the night is that Poland are 4-0 up at half time against Gibraltar, which means that Germany are going to need a win to retain top spot in Group D. Republic of Ireland's meeting with Georgia in Dublin is currently goalless.

The two sides are out for the second half. No changes from either manager yet. 45 more minutes of drama, please!

Fletcher battled well, but barely had a kick in the first half. He makes a clever run off the ball to invite a through ball from Morrison. However, a replay proves that Hector stepped up to play him offside.

Brown was caught out of position for Germany's opener after he was attracted to the ball but he is still making trouble for the Germany midfield with some excellent tackling which brings cheers from the home fans.

Gotze rises like Alan Shearer to powerfully head home from Schweinsteiger's cross, but the Scotland defence had squeezed up quickly enough to leave him in an offside position. Germany looking sharp in attack once again.

Fletcher drifts out wide to chase a long ball over the top. Scotland twice reignite a promising move, before Hutton's deep cross is easily collected by Neuer at the back post.

Germany take the lead for the third time, and it really is a lovely goal from the world champions. Can comes forward on the right to find Gundogan. The midfielder plays a through ball to Muller and immediately joins his teammates in the box. Muller does well to return the ball with an excellent pull back and Gundogan finishes calmly to score with a shot off the inside of the post. Can Scotland respond again?

YELLOW CARD! Morrison picks up the first booking for clipping Schweinsteiger on the ankle in midfield. That means he will miss the crucial game against Poland next month. He is fortunate to only receive a warning for a foul on Kroos less than a minute later.

YELLOW CARD! It is starting to get tougher for Scotland as the hosts dominate. A heavy touch from Can invites the challenge from Maloney, who misses the ball and picks up a booking for the foul.

SUB! Scotland make the first change of the evening as Maloney comes off to be replaced by Anya, who scored in the 2-1 loss to Germany a year ago.

CHANCE! Germany are fed up with chasing the ball for a minute, so some excellent pressing allows them to retrieve possession further up the pitch. Muller's cross is a touch behind Gotze, who turns in the box to knock the ball back for Schweinsteiger, but Marshall gets two hands to the midfielder's powerful strike.

Great response from the Scottish crowd as Morrison and Fletcher chase the ball impressively to force Hummels into an aimless ball which drifts out of play.

CHANCE! Big opportunity for Scotland. Hutton fires a pass to Fletcher, who holds play up in the box before teeing up the full-back, but his first touch is slightly too strong and he can only shoot wide on the stretch.

UPDATE: As Scotland continue to battle admirably at Hampden Park, there has been a breakthrough in Dublin. Jonathan Walters has given Republic of Ireland a 1-0 lead over Georgia. As it stands, Martin O'Neill's side will be four points clear of Scotland at the end of the night as they battle for a playoff spot.

A few optimistic appeals for a penalty come from the crowd when Gundogan gets a touch on the ball as Hutton looked to create space with a run into the box. Scotland seeing plenty of the ball, but Germany continue to look more threatening.

Anya jumps well at the back post to challenge for Hutton's cross, but Can is too strong as Germany survive a spell of pressure. It looks like there is at least one more opportunity in this match for Scotland.

Morrison commits another foul to break up an extended spell of possession from Germany. He has been done a favour by the referee on a couple of occasions. Strachan may consider removing him very soon.

Ozil pops up in a central position to return a pass to Muller, who can only send a tame effort wide from the edge of the box.

Chance for Scotland as Hutton wins a free kick for his side around 30 yards from goal. Will he shoot or deliver a cross?

Mulgrew unleashes an effort but can only strike the wall and Hutton then fails to pick out a teammate with a poor cross from the right. Missed opportunity for the hosts.

SUBS! Strachan decides it is time to roll the dice. Matt Ritchie and Chris Martin are off the bench to replace Forrest and Brown. Will there be a late twist?

Germany are dropping deeper and Scotland are beginning to grow in confidence as the search for a third equaliser. Fletcher fails to control a bouncing ball in the box, but the offside flag is up anyway.

SAVE! Germany break in numbers, and despite seeing their progress halted by the home defence, Gundogan still manages to test Marshall with a powerful strike.

Superb football from the world champions. Gundogan and Gotze twice exchange passes on the edge of the box, before the latter sends a half volley over the crossbar.

SUB! Gotze's night comes to an end after he comes close to scoring as Joachim Low sends on Andre Schurrle.

The Scotland challenge is just starting to fade and Germany are in no mood to make it easy for the hosts. Gundogan has just dropped a few yards deeper to help out Schweinsteiger and Kroos in the centre of midfield.

Poor from Boateng as he climbs all over Chris Martin to gift Scotland a free kick in a decent position. Ritchie's delivery lacks a bit of pace and Hanley is unable to head the ball into the danger zone as Germany clear.

Scotland seeing plenty of the ball, but only in deep positions. They have just two added minutes to find an equaliser.

SUB! Anya is stuck in the corner of the pitch and he runs out of space as Germany eventually win a throw-in. The visitors make another change as Christoph Kramer replaces Ozil.

Brilliant from Ritchie as he goes to shoot before finding Hutton, whose cross is headed behind. Marshall comes up to get involved but Boateng clears.

A dramatic night in Glasgow comes to an end. Scotland twice fought back from a goal down, but Ilkay Gundogan's goal was enough to hand Germany all three points. It means that Strachan's side face a battle to catch Republic of Ireland, who have beaten Georgia 1-0.

That's all from our live coverage tonight, but there is reaction, analysis and player ratings on the way. Thanks for joining Sports Mole this evening. Goodnight everyone.