Gomez will miss Germany’s World Cup qualifier

Mario Gomez. (Torsten Silz/AP)

FRANKFURT, Germany — Germany’s only striker, Mario Gomez, will miss Friday’s World Cup qualifying match in Kazakhstan because of a thigh injury.

Gomez hurt his right hamstring in Thursday’s practice after the team arrived in Astana. The German Football Federation says the Bayern Munich striker will not be able to practice for two days but should be available for Tuesday’s match against the same opponent in Nuremberg.

Coach Joachim Loew already had been considering fielding a team without a classic striker.

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