Die Mannschaft will be at the 2018 World Cup in Russia to defend their title! Joachim Löw’s side maintained their 100 percent record in qualifying, beating Northern Ireland 3-1 on Thursday night to secure top spot in Group C and thus a place at next summer’s tournament with one game to spare. Two great strikes from Sebastian Rudy and Sandro Wagner put Germany on course for victory in the first half, before a Joshua Kimmich volley and a late consolation goal from Josh Magennis rounded off the scoring.
A solitary point would have been enough for Die Mannschaft to confirm their presence in Russia, but they can now go into their final qualifying game against Azerbaijan in Kaiserslautern on Sunday (20:45 CEST) with the chance to see out a perfect campaign by making it ten wins from ten, something Germany also did in 1982 World Cup qualifying. The draw for the finals in Russia will be made in Moscow on 1st December.
Rudy’s stunner after 78 seconds
Joachim Löw called on returnees and Confed Cup winners Marvin Plattenhardt and Sandro Wagner at left back and up front respectively, while Jérôme Boateng also made his first international appearance since the 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in qualifying almost exactly one year ago, something the coach had already revealed in his pre-match press conference.
Germany made the perfect start in front of 18,104 spectators at Windsor Park, taking the lead after only 78 seconds. Thomas Müller’s cross found its way through to Kimmich, whose lay-off was thundered home by Sebastian Rudy for the 27-year-old’s first international goal. There was little Northern Ireland keeper Michael McGovern could do about Rudy’s strike, but he reacted superbly minutes later as Sandro Wagner had the chance to head home a second from close range.
Germany maintain dominance
The goal allowed Löw’s boys to take control of the game and bide their team in the search for holes in the hosts defence. They were getting the most joy down the right flank, and another dangerous Joshua Kimmich cross was unfortunately headed onto the post by Wagner. The Hoffenheim striker wasn’t to be denied for much longer though, with a brilliant turn and fire from the edge of the box putting Germany 2-0 ahead after 21 minutes.
Northern Ireland, who have only conceded against the World Champions during qualifying, continued to defend resolutely and hoped to catch the visitors out on the counter, but it was Julian Draxler who had the game’s next chance, firing narrowly wide of the target just before the half-hour mark. The home side did have a dangerous moment shortly before the break, however, with Marc-André ter Stegen required to make good saves first from Corry Evans one-on-one, and then from Kyle Lafferty’s header.
Late goals from Kimmich and Magennis
Germany regained their total dominance in the second 45 though and could have gone three goals up not long after the restart, but Wagner and Mats Hummels both failed to convert decent chances. They remained patient throughout though, with Rudy and Toni Kroos shifting the ball around in the centre of the park and the defence calmly overcoming the Northern Irish press.
Little changed as the game neared its closing stages, with Die Mannschaft in charge of possession, although the match lost some rhythm as substitutions were made by both teams. One of those new faces, Leroy Sané, had a good opportunity to grab Germany’s third goal, but it was Joshua Kimmich who confirmed the result moments later, volleying home at the near post, before Magennis flicked home a consolation goal with virtually the last touch of the night.
