"It's all about mental sharpness at the highest level," mused Joachim Löw, 24 hours before Germany's 3-2 win in Scotland on Monday. On a weekend that defined Germany's European Championship qualifying campaign, Löw's world champions showed exactly those traits. Grit, more grit, and then some.

Germany weren't quite entering the lion's den at Hampden Park in Glasgow, with Scotland wounded following defeat to 147th ranked Georgia, but it was a test of character nonetheless. The Scottish national stadium rarely packs to the rafters - it's the home of fourth-tier Queen's Park who draw around 300 each game - but the atmosphere can defeat the best of teams. France, the Netherlands, Spain at their peak for 30-odd minutes and Italy, if it hadn't been for an injury-time goal, all struggled.

While the German supporters and media packed in-and-around Hampden tried not to proclaim victory before a ball was kicked, Löw's side had a steely self-confidence about them following the 3-1 win over previous front-runners of the group Poland on Friday.

Beating the Bravehearts

The classics were belted out by the 50,000 Scots: Caledonia, The Proclaimers and the Flower of Scotland – jazzed up by the 'Red Hot Chili Pipers', a local bagpipe band. Awash with compliments of the Scottish atmosphere, the Germans on the field didn't look fazed – and it was the first test for many of them in this intense, traditional British environment.

On the park, it was all Germany; off it, it was the hosts who dominated. An attack was in order from the Tartan Army with the visitors in the lead through Thomas Müller's deflected goal: 'We hate England more than you' the cry.

The first earful of the famous 'Hampden Roar' - as it's locally known - came midway through the half when Shaun Maloney's freekick was pushed out by Manuel Neuer but then into his own net off Mats Hummels. “Typically Scottish,” cried one steward who did his best to not blend in with the partisan home crowd. Müller scored again - his fourth in two games for Germany versus the Scots - but the 'Roar' returned when James McArthur's shot evaded the Bayern Munich goalie who had one of his perennial nightmares.

Home and dry

After Karaoke, a half-time marriage proposal (she said yes) and a lone bagpiper on the roof, Germany eased back into the driving seat with a fine goal from Ilkay Gündgoan, the only change to the side from Friday. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder really does look back to his best, as Löw noted at the pre-match press conference.

Gundogan's inclusion was outstanding - albeit predictable after his performance in the second half on Friday - and he brought much-needed stability against Scotland's counterattacks. His goal, which turned out to be the winner, was thoroughly deserved. A moment inside the box, which the Scots would describe as a ‘stramash', could have pulled the game back to 3-3 if Steven Fletcher was sharper than Jerome Boateng. But in the end, Germany held on and secured the second part of a valuable two-piece triumph this weekend. “Scotland played very well,” purred Mario Götze in the mixed zone, a forward reborn over the last two games.

Next month will bring a trip to Dublin to face the Republic of Ireland who are going head-to-head with the Scots for third place in the group - the Irish lead by four points after beating Georgia on Monday. Conditions will be similar - anything for the Irish would all-but secured third - but Löw and his coaching team already know who can be relied upon when the going gets tough.