Germany scored six times in 22 minutes either side of half-time to destroy San Marino 6-0 and move clear at the top of Euro 2008 qualifying Group D.

San Marino, still smarting from a 13-0 defeat by Germany at home in September, put up stiff resistance before succumbing to a Kevin Kuranyi header in the final minute of the first half.

Marcell Jansen made it 2-0 early in the second and the sending-off of Davide Simoncini when he gave away a penalty opened the floodgates.

Torsten Frings converted from the spot, Mario Gomez scored two in quick succession and Clemens Fritz rounded off the scoring in the 67th minute.

Victory gave Germany 16 points from six games and took them two clear of Czech Republic, who drew 0-0 in Wales earlier today.

Joachim Loew's side play Slovakia in Hamburg on Wednesday when another victory would take them a long way towards their goal of reaching the finals in Austria and Switzerland next year.

Both Germany and San Marino are opponents of the Republic of Ireland in qualifying Group D