With Germany needing just a point from its match against Northern Ireland in Belfast, it was never really a question of if, but when. The answer was less than two minutes into the match. Sebastian Rudy hit a stunning long-range strike less than 80 seconds into the game and a relaxed Germany coasted to a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland to book its spot in next summer’s World Cup on Thursday.
Germany is now unbeaten in 46 World Cup qualifiers away from home, 36 of them victories. And on Thursday Die Mannschaft barely broke a sweat, joining England as automatic qualifiers for the World Cup from UEFA on the day.
Germany hardly brought a top-choice team to Northern Ireland, playing without stars like Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, Manuel Neuer, Mario Gotze, Ilkay Gundogan, Timo Werner, Mario Gomez and Andre Shurrle, not to mention Shkodran Mustafi, Emre Can, Matthias Ginter, Julian Brandt and Leroy Sané starting on the bench.
They weren’t needed as Rudy and 1920s cartoon villain Sandro Wagner scored early on to help Germany cruise to victory. Northern Ireland didn’t score until the 93rd minute, but by then the game was long finished.
Evil villain or German striker? Photo: @UEFAcom_de | Twitter
Despite the loss, Northern Ireland is still assured a spot in the UEFA playoffs for finishing second in the group. Despite its win over Azerbaijan on Thursday, third-place Czech Republic is still seven points behind and cannot make up the difference with one match left.
Both teams came into the match having allowed two goals in eight World Cup qualifiers. Nonetheless, it didn’t take long for Germany to score. Rudy launched a magnificent first-time shot from nearly 30 yards in the second minute of the game.
What a goal!
Sebastian Rudy scores a SCREAMER to put Germany up 1-0! https://t.co/XID54Ls4Nm— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 5, 2017
Wagner, who hit the post with a header in the 17th minute, doubled Germany’s advantage four minutes later when he curled in a left-footed shot from 20 yards out.
Sandro Wagner doubles Germany's lead! https://t.co/710sgPtpIH
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 5, 2017
The match was essentially over by then and Germany took its foot off the gas heading into halftime. After the break, Northern Ireland goalie Michael McGovern made an incredible save to deny Thomas Muller of a headed goal.
Germany grew complacent as the second half went on, allowing Northern Ireland a few cracks at goal. Conor Washington struck the topside of the crossbar 15 minutes from time. But Joshua Kimmich finished off the match with a volley off a high ball at the back post in the 86th minute. All five goals Northern Ireland has allowed in qualifying have been scored by Germany.
Northern Ireland did get a stoppage-time consolation from Josh Magennis. They face Norway on Sunday but the more important fixtures will be the two-legged playoff against an opponent as-yet undecided in November.
Germany won’t have to worry about that. Nine wins from nine matches with 38 goals scored and three allowed will see the reigning champions ease into the 2018 World Cup, where they’ll again be favorites to win it all.
The18 Recommends For You
