Without Neuer and Ozil, Germany still won a ticket to the 2018 World Cup

Coach Joachim Low and his team defeated host Northern Ireland 3-1, thereby securing the top spot in Group C and officially winning tickets to Russia next summer.

Goals: Magennis 90'+3 - Rudy 2', Wagner 21', Kimmich 86'

The reigning world champions only need a point against Northern Ireland to officially secure a ticket to Russia in the summer of 2018. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland entered the field with a relaxed mentality because they were sure to hold one of the top two positions in the group, a sufficient condition to participate in the play-off round.

Germany were without Mesut Ozil, Mario Gotze and Manuel Neuer, but still proved too strong for the home team. In the second minute, Sebastian Rudy shot from about 30 meters away. The ball went hard and flew straight into the top corner, leaving the Northern Ireland goalkeeper unable to save.

Nearly 20 minutes later, Sandro Wagner, who started in place of Timo Werner, made a technical move, eliminating the Northern Ireland defender, before turning and finishing with a half-bounce shot, sending the ball straight into the far corner, doubling the gap.

Germany has qualified for the 2018 World Cup.

Leading by two goals early, Germany played comfortably for the rest of the match thanks to the excellent ball-holding ability of the central midfield duo Toni Kroos andLeon Goretzka. Germany had 75% possession at one point, and Northern Ireland had almost no chance of getting close to the "Tanks" goal.

Joshua Kimmich scored the third goal for the visitors in the 86th minute. The Bayern Munich player volleyed close to the goal, after the Northern Ireland defender failed to clear the ball from the German team's left-wing cross.

Northern Ireland scored a consolation goal in the third minute of stoppage time, thanks to a close-range header fromJosh MagennisHowever, three points and an official ticket to the 2018 World Cup still belong to the German team.

According to VNE