Germany first country to qualify for 2022 World Cup

Skopje, October 12 (BNA) Germany became the first country to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Monday, with Timo Werner scoring a double in a 4-0 win away from North Macedonia.

A fifth win in five matches under new coach Hansi Flick, matching the record of his predecessor Joachim Loew, gave Germany an unbeatable lead at the top of Group 10 thanks to Armenia’s 1-0 loss to Romania elsewhere, dpa reported. .

Germany dominated all the time a team that inflicted only a third home defeat in a World Cup qualifier at home in March, but it took until the second half to break through.

Kai Havertz took advantage of the empty net to lead a wonderful counter-attack in the 50th minute to break the resistance of North Macedonia.

A spirited Werner then struck a quick double before youngster Jamal Musiyala completed defeat with his first major international goal.

Germany has 21 points from eight matches before the campaign concludes in November at home to Liechtenstein and away to Armenia, who are now fourth with 12 points.

13th-placed Romania is the best to secure a second place and play-off match, but North Macedonia, which beats Armenia on goal difference, is also in the competition.

“We’ve qualified now, which is very, very important first and foremost for us and gives us confidence in the upcoming matches,” Havertz told RTL.

Captain Manuel Neuer, who has returned to goals after injury, agreed that the team must now have high ambitions. “If we play for Germany the goal is always to win trophies and reach the highest goals possible. That’s how we will deal there.”

Flick made five changes to the team that beat Romania last time with Muller and Havertz also entering attack and proving to be decisive.

Goalkeeper Stoll Dmitrievsky initially denied Joshua Kimmich and then Werner, who was actually offside, and had an assist from the post when the Chelsea striker beat him with a header in the first half.

It was Werner’s teammate at Stamford Bridge, Havertz, who scored when a superb pass from Serge Gnabry netted Muller, who hit the ball for a simple shot rather than a shot himself.

“We qualified as quickly as possible,” Flick said. “We also have to commend the team for their behavior today.

“We can be happy because we also finished this match with a win.”

Muller, who scored the winning goal against Romania on Friday, was once again equipped to put Werner into the 70th minute with a clever flick after a quick free kick.

Werner’s superb shot from the edge of the penalty area after three minutes set Germany sail and in the final minutes Musyala provided a pass from fellow substitute Karim Adeyemi.