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Germany on brink of World Cup after thrashing Norway

Germany took a giant step towards qualifying for next summer’s World Cup in Russia with a thumping 6-0 win over Norway in Stuttgart.

Joachim Löw’s side were three to the good after 20 minutes and four nil up at half-time thanks to goals from Mesut Özil, Julian Draxler and a brace from RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner.

Substitute Leon Goretzka added a fifth after the break, before Mario Gomez added a sixth late on.

Die Mannschaft top Group C with 24 points from eight games, five points ahead of Northern Ireland with two fixtures remaining, meaning celebrations of definite qualification will be put on hold until October.

After Friday’s scrappy 2-1 win over the Czech Republic this was a Germany performance worthy of world champions, and Norway had barely had a chance to get their foot on the ball by the time Özil lashed home Jonas Hector’s early left-wing cross.

The Arsenal midfielder then turned provider to allow Draxler to slot home moments later, and it was three nil after just twenty minutes when Thomas Müller’s delightful flick set up 22-year-old Werner to add another.

The same combination bore fruit just before half-time, Werner this time using his head to nod home past Norway goalkeeper Rune Jarstein. It was the third time in as many games in the last 9 months the striker had scored a brace against the Hertha stopper.

Substitute Leon Goretzka headed in a fifth shortly after coming on early in the second half, and the rout was completed by 32-year-old Gomez from Joshua Kimmich’s cross.



Germany took a giant step towards qualifying for next summer’s World Cup in Russia with a thumping 6-0 win over Norway in Stuttgart.

Joachim Löw’s side were three to the good after 20 minutes and four nil up at half-time thanks to goals from Mesut Özil, Julian Draxler and a brace from RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner.

Substitute Leon Goretzka added a fifth after the break, before Mario Gomez added a sixth late on.

Die Mannschaft top Group C with 24 points from eight games, five points ahead of Northern Ireland with two fixtures remaining, meaning celebrations of definite qualification will be put on hold until October.

After Friday’s scrappy 2-1 win over the Czech Republic this was a Germany performance worthy of world champions, and Norway had barely had a chance to get their foot on the ball by the time Özil lashed home Jonas Hector’s early left-wing cross.

The Arsenal midfielder then turned provider to allow Draxler to slot home moments later, and it was three nil after just twenty minutes when Thomas Müller’s delightful flick set up 22-year-old Werner to add another.

The same combination bore fruit just before half-time, Werner this time using his head to nod home past Norway goalkeeper Rune Jarstein. It was the third time in as many games in the last 9 months the striker had scored a brace against the Hertha stopper.

Substitute Leon Goretzka headed in a fifth shortly after coming on early in the second half, and the rout was completed by 32-year-old Gomez from Joshua Kimmich’s cross.

Rather fittingly, the final goal was preceded by a full five minutes of complete German possession, as the Stuttgart crowd was treated to a procession of football from the hosts.

Norway’s best chance to get on the scoresheet came in the final minute, but Marc-André ter Stegen was alert to tip Josh King’s effort onto the post from a tight angle.

Germany ‘s next game sees them travel to Belfast to play second-placed Northern Ireland, where a point will be enough to book the ticket to Russia next June.