The German national team has punched its ticket for the 2022 World Cup. Thanks to a 4-0 win in northern Macedonia, in which the goals all came in the second half, the DFB can firmly plan for the tournament in Qatar.
Federal coach Hansi Flick made five changes to his starting eleven compared to the 2-1 defeat to Romania: In place of ter Stegen, the recently injured captain Neuer was back between the posts. In addition, Klostermann replaced Hofmann at right back, Müller started for Reus behind the leaders and Havertz came in for Sané on the left. Raum made his starting debut on the left side of defence – the 23-year-old replaced the back injured Rüdiger.
Northern Macedonia coach Blagoje Milevski also changed his starting line-up in five positions despite a 4-0 win in Liechtenstein. Schalke’s Churlinov also got another chance on the left wing.
In front of 18,000 spectators in a rainy Todor Proeski Arena in Skopje, a lively match developed from the start, in which the DFB team could have taken the lead after just two minutes. Havertz crossed to Kimmich, but Dimitrievski’s header was just cleared off the goal line. The hosts formed up in a 4-1-4-1 system – and against the ball closed in their own half. Germany kept trying to get forward via the flanks with Gnabry and the attacking-minded space, but often made small mistakes. Northern Macedonia, who lurked precisely on those ball losses, thus came forward dangerously again and again, although Neuer only had to hold one ball in the first half (27.).
Havertz opens the scoring
The Flick eleven kept running, but neither crosses from Raum nor dribbles from Havertz and Gnabry created decisive gaps. Just before the break, however, Werner had the lead on his feet, but the Chelsea FC man failed to hit the left post from six metres. After 45 minutes, the score remained 0-0.
However, it did not stay that way for long after the restart, as Germany countered the hosts after a misplaced pass. Gnabry sent Müller in superbly, who in turn picked up Havertz, who was running with him. Standing in front of the empty goal, the 22-year-old had no trouble putting the ball in (50th). The DFB team continued to keep control of the game and the gaps in the North Macedonian defence became bigger and bigger. This paid off again 20 minutes later: Via substitute Wirtz and Müller, the ball ended up with Werner, who finished with a half-volley into the right corner from eleven metres.
Jokers provide the final score
The hosts were beaten – and Werner followed up with the next attack. The attacker was rewarded for his many finishes in this game with a beautiful flick from the left corner of the penalty area for the second time (83rd). Werner’s fifth goal since the European Championship makes him the most dangerous German attacker at the moment.
The 4:0 final score was made by Musiala, who was well served by joker partner Adeyemi and kept his cool in the one-on-one (83rd). Since Armenia lost in Romania in the parallel match, the DFB team has secured its World Cup ticket early. Germany, who won their fifth match under Flick, will continue their qualifying campaign on 11 November (20:45) against Liechtenstein.