6 Oct 2017

Germany and England qualify for World Cup

2:03 pm on 6 October 2017

Germany and England have locked up their spots at the World Cup after qualifying wins over Northern Ireland and Slovenia respectively.

International football friendly match, England versus Turkey. Harry Kane controls the ball on the left wing.

International football friendly match, England versus Turkey. Harry Kane controls the ball on the left wing. Photo: All Rights Reserved

Germany and England join Brazil, Belgium, Mexico, Iran, Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia as teams now qualified, along with hosts Russia.

World champions Germany eased past Northern Ireland 3-1 at Windsor Park to maintain their perfect record in Group C.

Sebastian Rudy opened the scoring for Germany after just 77 seconds and Sandro Wagner doubled the advantage in the 21st minute.

Joshua Kimmich made it 3-0 in the 86th minute before Josh Magennis pulled back a consolation goal three minutes into stoppage time.

Germany's final group game is against Azerbaijan this weekend.

Northern Ireland, who had not lost a qualifier at home in four years, are locked in second place in the group with 19 points -- seven points clear of third placed Czech Republic -- and will need to qualify through the playoffs.

England have qualified for Russia 2018 courtesy of a 1-0 win over Slovenia at Wembley.

Harry Kane's stoppage-time goal guaranteed England's place at Russia 2018 as the top team in Group F.

Kane directed home Kyle Walker's cross in the third minute of time added.

England, who haven't missed a World Cup since 1994, wrap up their qualifying campaign in Lithuania.

Martin Skrtel's own goal gave Scotland a 1-0 victory over 10-man Slovakia in Glasgow.

The Scots are now second on 17 points and should be guaranteed a place in the playoffs if they beat Slovenia in the last round of games.

Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick in Poland's 6-1 rout of Armenia that put them on the verge of World Cup qualification.

The goals made Lewandowski his country's record scorer.

After Denmark won at Montenegro 1-0, Poland lead Group E by three points over the Danes.

Poland need a point from the last-round match on Monday against Montenegro in Warsaw to automatically qualify as the group winner.

Montenegro are third, six points off top spot but with a chance of snaring a play-off position.

-AAP