Germany joined hosts Qatar as the first team to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup following Monday night's win over North Macedonia. Die Mannschaft registered an emphatic 4-0 win to book a slot in next year's mundial by securing the top spot in Group J with two games to spare.
After suffering a heartbreaking first home qualifying defeat in 20 years under previous manager Joachim Löw in April, Hansi Flick's men replied in style with a 4-0 triumph in Skopje following a goalless first half. Two second-half goals from Timo Werner and one each from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala seal victory for the 2014 World Cup winners.
On an individual basis, the night's feat should be enough to offer a host of the players the needed morale booster ahead of subsequent outings. Players such as Timo Werner and Kai Havertz have come under criticism in recent times for their poor goalscoring form at Chelsea and, as a result, will be pleased with their input. For young Jamal Musiala, his strike is one that he will remember for a long time as it practically made him Germany's second-youngest goalscorer of all time.
Congratulations Germany! The 4-time #WorldCup winners have become the 1st team to join hosts Qatar at the 22nd global finals pic.twitter.com/jBy4YsnZTm
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) October 11, 2021
With all group winners in European qualification automatically securing a place at the tournament in Qatar, it is left, it is left for the likes of Romania, North Macedonia, and Armenia to make a claim for the runners-up position which will land either one of them the opportunity to feature in a play-off. The former sits in second with 13 points while the latter two are tied on 12 points apiece.
