Germany and Netherlands on Monday went on goal sprees as they wrapped up FIFA World Cup qualification with resounding wins in their final group matches.
“Every player played well today and worked like a dog,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann told German broadcaster ZDF.
Both European giants needed only to draw to be sure of reaching the global showpiece in the US, Canada and Mexico. Instead, both went on the attack.
Photo: AP
Germany took early control as they beat Slovakia 6-0 in Leipzig. The Netherlands took longer to pull away before overcoming Lithuania 4-0 in Amsterdam.
Slovakia finished second in Group A. Poland, who survived a scare to win 3-2 in Malta, ended up second to the Netherlands in Group G.
Second spot secures a place in the 16-team European playoffs in March next year.
Northern Ireland’s 1-0 win over Luxembourg in Belfast could not lift them out of third in Group A, but they will make the playoffs because of their UEFA Nations League performance.
In Group L, Croatia, already assured of first place, scored twice in the final 18 minutes to come from behind and win 3-2 away to Montenegro. The Czech Republic, in second, slaughtered visiting Gibraltar 6-0.
In Leipzig, four-time winners Germany started the night level on points with opponents Slovakia atop Group A, but with an edge on goal-difference. Slovakia, who beat Germany earlier in qualifying, created some threatening moments, but could not take them.
Nick Woltemade headed Germany into an 18th-minute lead. Once Serge Gnabry added a second 11 minutes later, the hosts were in total control.
Leroy Sane scored twice before halftime, and substitutes Ridle Baku and Assan Ouedraogo struck in the second half.
“We’re relieved. It’s a great moment,” Woltemade told ZDF. “I’m playing, I’m scoring goals and I’m hopefully playing at the World Cup. Tonight we showed the quality we have in this team. It was a pleasure.”
Nagelsmann praised his team’s attitude.
“We showed incredible team spirit and pushed ourselves on the pitch from the very beginning,” he said.
In Amsterdam, Ronald Koeman’s team entertained the 50,000 spectators as their high-tempo play constantly pinned Lithuania back in their own half.
Tijani Reijnders perfectly set up by Frenkie de Jong gave the hosts a 15-minute lead, but the massed visiting defense and a spectacular first-half display by goalkeeper Edvinas Gertmonas held the hosts at bay until the 58th minute.
Cody Gakpo added a second from the penalty spot, before Xavi Simons and Donyell Malen struck in the next four minutes allowing Koeman to bring on five substitutes.
Like Woltemade, the 27-year-old Reijnders was excited to be heading to the World Cup. He did not make his Netherlands debut until after the 2022 edition in Qatar.
“I watched it at home, on the couch, with my Oranje shirt on,” he said. “This time round it’s obviously going to be very different for me. I’ll have to wait a while until it comes around, but I’m really looking forward to taking part for the first time.”
In Malta, Poland were given a scare on the way to a victory which ultimately did not lift them out of second place.
Robert Lewandowski, whose unhappiness at a reduced role in the team led to a coaching change earlier in the campaign, gave Poland the lead after 32 minutes.
Irvin Cardona replied for the hosts four minutes later.
Lewandowski then set up Pawel Wszolek after 59 minutes, but the game took a wild swing to Malta in the 68th minute.
Karol Swiderski finished a Poland counterattack by sticking the ball into the net, but a video assistant referee check showed that at the start of the move Jakub Kiwior had fouled Cardona in the Poland penalty area.
Teddy Teuma leveled from the penalty spot, but Piotr Zielinski’s long-range strike flew in off a post after 85 minutes to give Poland victory.
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