Germany achieved the landslide victory it needed against Luxembourg tonight to remain in the direct qualifying race for the World Cup.
Julian Nagelsmann’s men have endured a miserable start The first group was lost to Slovakia 2-0 But the direct route to the United States, Canada and Mexico was now back in their hands after the most routine victories.
Luxembourg were 1-0 down even before Dirk Karlsson was sent off in the 21st minute. From there on, they were lambs to the slaughter as Germany dismantled them in Sinsheim.
Joshua Kimmich scored twice, in addition to impressive goals from David Raum and Serge Gnabry, as the hosts secured a huge win.
Germany leads the group on goal difference over Northern Ireland, which beat Slovakia 2-0 in Belfast tonight. The three teams have six points. Germany faces Northern Ireland in another crucial match on Monday.
Will Woltemade with disallowed goal
Germany thought they had the lead within four minutes but the Video Assistant Referee ruled that Nick Foltimadi had diverted Gnabry’s arm shot into the net. In fact, if there was a negative for Germany, it was that Newcastle striker Voltimade’s wait for his first big goal extended into the fifth game before he was sent off just after the hour mark.
He would not have had a better chance than that against the Luxembourg defense, which faltered every time the hosts took the lead.
Finally, the breakthrough came after 12 minutes.
Christopher Martins fouled Gnabry 20 yards out and Raum fired the free-kick through the wall and into the bottom corner.
The score was 2-0 after nine minutes. Florian Wirtz lifted the ball over the Luxembourg defense and Gnabry appeared to pass the ball the wrong side of Karlsson but the defender extended his arm, taking the striker out of his stride as he attempted to shoot.
Referee Nenad Minajkovic was instructed to take a look at VAR and the decision was a penalty and a red card for the unfortunate Karlsson. Kimmich did not commit any error from the penalty kick, calmly shooting it into the net after sending Anthony Morris in the wrong direction.
Limit harm to visitors
Luxembourg fell into a lower mass, and damage limitation was now the only goal.
Gnabry shot a shot wide by a few inches, Morris saved a wonderful shot from Leon Goretzka, and the Luxembourg goalkeeper blocked a shot from Kimmich before the end of the first half.
The visitors did well at the end of the first half without conceding again, but two goals in five minutes after the start of the second half frustrated much of their good work.
Gnabry made it 3-0 after taking advantage of some poor defending and it was four when Kimmich was the first to react to the ball into the net after a corner kick went around Luxembourg’s six-yard box.
With the match won, Germany calmed down and advanced to the final whistle, despite Wirtz’s continuous attempts to create more chances.
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