Champions Germany perfect in best World Cup qualifying campaign
Defending champion Germany wrapped up its most successful World Cup qualification campaign with a 5-1 victory over Azerbaijan yesterday, its 10th win from 10 games.
With many regulars left out by Germany, it was up to others to shine in European qualifying, and Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka made his case for inclusion in the World Cup squad with two goals. Hoffenheim's Sandro Wagner claimed his fifth goal in five qualifiers.
Germany, which secured qualification on Thursday, finished Group C with a maximum 30 points, and a European record 43 goals scored and just four conceded.
Northern Ireland knew before its 1-0 defeat to Norway in Oslo that it was assured of a playoff place. POLAND QUALIFIES Poland secured its spot in next year's World Cup in Russia with a 4-2 win over Montenegro.
Montenegro scored late goals through substitute Stefan Mugosa and Zarko Tomasevic to level at 22 and ensure a nervy finale for Poland, which needed just a point to qualify as Group E winner.
Robert Lewandowski capitalized on a defensive mistake to restore the home side's lead in the 85th minute with his record 16th goal in European qualifying before Filip Stojkovic's own-goal ended any further suspense.
Early goals from Krzysztof Maczynski and Kamil Grosicki had put Poland 2-0 ahead by the break.
Poland finished top on 25 points. Denmark came second on 20 points and booked a playoff spot despite being held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Romania in Copenhagen. DENMARK IN PLAYOFFS Danish fans had a mixed reaction to news of Poland's early goals in Warsaw. Denmark could still qualify automatically with a win over Romania if Poland lost at the same time.
The home side endured a frustrating first half with a goal from Nicklas Bendtner ruled out for offside. TV replays showed otherwise.
Christian Eriksen finally scored with a penalty on the hour mark after Cristian Ganea had hauled down Bendtner.
Ganea, who was booked, earned his second yellow card minutes later for dragging down Yussuf Poulsen.
However, Ciprian Deac scored late to salvage a 1-1 draw for Romania.
Denmark, with 20 points, gets a playoff spot as one of the eight best runners-up from Europe's nine groups. SCOTLAND'S NEAR MISS Scotland coach Gordon Strachan consoled his players as they lay on the field after the final whistle, with the country having missed out on World Cup qualification for the fifth straight time.
The Scots were left to rue not necessarily the result in Ljubliana, but the home draw to Lithuania and conceding a last-gasp equalizer at home to England.
Goals by halftime substitute Roman Bezjak in the 52nd and 72nd minutes turned the game in Slovenia's favor, only for Snodgrass to hook in an equalizer in the 88th and leave Scotland within a goal of the playoffs.
The Scots had two chances after Cesar's red card, but both efforts were saved. KANE SCORES AGAIN A successful, if drab, qualifying campaign by England finished in apt fashion in Vilnius with an underwhelming victory.
With his side already guaranteed first place, England coach Gareth Southgate experimented with a three-man defense and gave debuts to defender Harry Maguire and midfielder Harry Winks.
It was a more famous Harry that scored the winner, with Kane converting a 27th-minute penalty after Dele Alli was fouled. It was the Tottenham striker's 15th goal in his last 10 games for club and country.