Germany, England Qualify For 2018 FIFA World Cup

Defending champions Germany clinched a place at next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia with a 3-1 win in Northern Ireland on Thursday, while England national football team beat Slovenia 1-0 to secure its berth.

Sebastian Rudy and Sandro Wagner scored first-half goals and Joshua Kimmich netted a late third as Germany made it nine wins out of nine in European qualifying Group C ahead of Sunday’s final match at home to Azerbaijan.

“We’re off to Russia, to tear it up! We want to successfully defend the World Cup title,” said Bayern Munich midfielder Rudy following his first international goal.

Northern Ireland, who grabbed a consolation through Josh Magennis, remain on track to claim a spot in next month’s play-offs as they attempt to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1986.

In the other matches played on Thursday night, England beat Slovenia 1-0 on to ensure they will finish top of Group E and qualify for the next year’s football tournament.

England Captain Harry Kane scored a late win for Gareth Southgate’s side.

The English men only needed two points from their final two matches – with a trip to Lithuania to come on Sunday – but took all three thanks to Kane’s 94th-minute intervention.

The result means England have not lost in their last 20 World Cup qualifiers – a run that stretches back eight years – and they have topped their World Cup qualification group for the sixth time in succession.

Immediately after the game, the Football Association announced England will play friendlies against Brazil and world champions Germany at Wembley in November.