Champions Germany close to qualifying after 7th straight win
World champions Germany qualified for next year’s finals in Russia after registering a seventh straight victory in Group C.
Yesterday they defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in Prague .
They took the lead after just four minutes through Werner who had received a good ball from Ozil.
Despite dominating possession, the Germans failed to score more goals and the Czechs finally scored an equaliser through Darida 12 minutes from the end.
But it was not yet over as Hummels scored what proved to be the winner for Germany two minutes from the end.
In the same group, Norway beat Azerbaijan 2-0 to move on to the seven point mark, the same as their opponents.
King converted a penalty to give them a first half lead. An own goal on the hour by Sagygov sealed their win.
In the other match, N. Ireland defeated bottom placed San Marino 3-0 with second half goals through Magennis (2) and Davis, from a penalty. The Irish have thus kept second place with a great chance to qualify through the playoffs.
In Group E, Montenegro maintained their qualification chances alive with a solid 3-0 win away to Kazakhstan.
They led 1-0 at the interval through a Vesovic goal on 31 minutes. Beciraj and Simic added two more goals on the changeover.
In the top match of this qualifying group, Denmark also obtained an important win against leaders Poland in Copenhagen humiliating the leaders 4-0.
The home team led 2-0 at the interval with Delaney giving them the lead on 15 minutes and Cornelius adding a second on 42 minutes. Joergensen scored a third on 59 minutes and Eriksen scored the fourth in the 80th minute.
In Group F, Scotland also kept their slim hopes alive, beating Lithuania 3-0in Vilnius. Two goals in the space of five minutes between the 25th and the 30th through Armstrong and Robertson paved the way for their victory. McArthur scored the third goal on the 72nd minute.
In Bratislava, Slovakia defeated rivals Slovenia to move four points ahead. Slovakia have 15 points, Slovenia and Scotland have 11.