It was Germany’s fifth win in as many games under new coach Hansi Flick and lifted them to 21 points in Group J to seal qualification.
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Germany beat North Macedonia 4-0 on Monday and became the first team other than hosts Qatar to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Kai Havertz opened the scoring in the second half before Timo Werner added a double and then Jamal Musiala completed the drubbing with a late fourth. It was Germany’s fifth win in as many games under new coach Hansi Flick and lifted them to 21 points in Group J, with Romania in second place on 13 points. All the group winners in European qualification automatically qualify for Qatar 2022.
The Germans, who were eliminated in the group stage of 2018 World Cup and the last 16 of Euro 2020 this summer, had an early chance with Thomas Mueller header. In the stoppage time, Werner hit the post with a low drive. Both sides failed to create too many clear cut chances and the first half ended goalless.
But five minutes after the restart, Havertz broke the deadlock. Serge Gnabry delivered a defence splitting pass to Thomas Mueller and the Bayern Munich forward laid the ball for Havertz to tap in.
20 minutes from time, Werner drilled home from another Mueller assist and then curled a shot home from 15 meters three minutes later. The Chelsea forward has now scored in four of the five matches under Flick.
“It was difficult at the start but it was good we did not concede a goal,” said Werner, who has now netted in four of the five matches under Flick.
“We know that if we push and attack over 90 minutes then it is only a matter of time until we score. After the lead it was easier for us.”
Meanwhile substitute Musiala put the icing on the cake with Germany’s fourth of the night, seven minutes from time.
“From the result it was perfect. We got what we wanted, qualified as quickly as possible and we now have five wins in a row,” Flick, who succeeded Joachim Low earlier this year, said.
“Again the attitude was right. Compliments to the team. They did not ease off. The first half was a bit wild and we lacked a bit of precision. But we kept at it. We can be satisfied.”
Elsewhere, Netherlands beat Gibraltar 6-0 in the Group G encounter at De Kuip to stay on course for automatic World Cup qualification. Memphis Depay scored a brace including one from the penalty spot to take his goal tally in the World Cup qualifiers to nine goals.
Virgil van Dijk opened the scoring with a header from Depay’s corner, nine minutes into kick-off. Meanwhile Denzel Dumfries, Arnaut Danjuma and Donyell Malen netted in the second half for Louis van Gaal’s side.
Depay had his 19th minute penalty saved by Gibraltar custodian Bradley Banda but then redeemed himself with a tap-in from close range two minutes later before netting his second spot-kick on the stroke of half time.
The win helped Holland to take a two point lead over second placed Norway in Group G standings with two matches left to play. Netherlands complete their qualifiers next month away against Montenegro and at home to Norway.
