Die Mannschaft became the first nation to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on the back of a 4-0 win over North Macedonia. Timo Werner scored a three-minute brace to book Die Mannschaft’s spot in next year’s winter tournament.
Hansi Flick’s men dominated during the early stages of the game, but their attempts to take the lead were thwarted by stalwart Stole Dimitrievski. The North Macedonian custodian was sharp throughout the first half and made a good low save to deny Serge Gnabry from giving Germany the lead in the 25th minute.
Dimitrievski then stopped Werner from getting a shot away during the subsequent corner, thus maintaining his clean sheet. Werner also hit the post just before the interval, as Germany’s attempts to take the lead bore no fruit.
Flick’s team was much sharper in the second half and took the lead five minutes after the restart. Germany’s pressure paid off as a wayward pass fell to Gnabry, and with the Macedonian defense in transition, he slipped Thomas Muller in behind the backline. With Dimitrievski charging down on him, Muller squared the ball to Kai Havertz, who was left with a simple tap-in.
Werner doubled Germany’s lead in the 70th minute. The Chelsea striker blasted in a volley from close range after a flick-on from Muller. The 25-year-old scored his second just three minutes later – collecting the ball on the right side of the box before curling it past the goalkeeper.
Two of Germany’s brightest young talents combined to score the fourth late on. Karim Adeyemi – who scored on his international debut last month – played through Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, and the latter finished with aplomb past Dimitrievski.
Germany remain unbeaten under Flick and have also secured their berth in next year’s World Cup. Die Mannschaft has won five qualifiers on the bounce, scoring 18 goals and conceding just one.
