By beating North Macedonia 4-0 away on Monday, Germany became the first European team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Germany finished first in Group J with two games to spare.
Timo Werner’s second-half double and goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala led Germany to 21 points in their sixth game under new coach Hansi Flick. Romania is in the second position with 13 points. All European qualification group winners are guaranteed a spot in the tournament in Qatar.
Flick, who succeeded Joachim Low earlier this year, said: ‘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.’
‘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.’
With a Thomas Mueller header, the Germans, who were eliminated in the first round of the 2018 World Cup and the last 16 of this year’s Euros, had an early chance.
However, the Germans lacked precision with their final pass and finishing, creating only a handful of chances in the first half until Werner hit the post with a low drive in stoppage time, like they did in their 2-1 home triumph against Romania on Friday.
In the 50th minute, Germany, which had been upset 2-1 by North Macedonia in March, broke the deadlock when Serge Gnabry split the defense with a fantastic through ball for Muller, who lay it off for Havertz to tap in. Werner then scored twice in three minutes, the first from another Muller pass in the 70th minute and the second from 15 meters three minutes later.
Werner, who has now netted in four of the five matches under Flick said: ‘It was difficult at the start but it was good we did not concede a goal. 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.’ Musiala, a substitute, scored his first international goal seven minutes before the end to seal the victory.
