Germany also made no mistake against Iceland in the qualifying phase for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday evening. The team of national coach Hansi Flick won 0-4, partly thanks to two hits in the first 25 minutes. In the first three international matches under Flick, the Mannschaft no goal conceded yet. Germany strengthens the lead in Group J, partly because North Macedonia and Romania kept each other at 0-0 at the same time.
Just like in the 6-0 win over Armenia, it was Serge Gnabry who helped the visitors to an early lead in Reykjavik. On a pass from Leroy Sané, the attacker put the early 0-1 on the scoreboard. Germany largely had the remainder of the first half under control, partly because Iceland lacked quality. Twenty minutes after the 0-1, the second goal followed: after a free kick by Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rüdiger headed the ball into the far corner.
Wonderful header from Antonio Rüdiger ??
On a perfect pass from Joshua Kimmich, the defender can head straight: 0-2 ??#ZiggoSport #WCQ2022 #ISLGER pic.twitter.com/3Or6NfMoy7— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) September 8, 2021
The second half could have started. Timo Werner and Kai Havertz missed great opportunities for the 0-3 and in between Albert Gudmundsson’s striking rebound was rejected for offside. In the end it was Sané who closed the game in minute 56: 0-3. Germany could have easily set a much higher score, but Iceland only had to concede a fourth goal in the final phase. A bet by Werner hit the left post and bounced over the goal line: 0-4.
Only the number one in the group qualifies directly for the World Cup in Qatar. The numbers two from the ten different groups and the two best group winners from the 2020/21 Nations League who fall outside the top two of their World Cup qualifying group will participate in the play-offs. The total of twelve countries will be divided into three play-off paths, each containing two semi-finals over one match and one final. The home teams in the play-offs are determined by drawing lots, with the six best numbers two placed and therefore unable to meet. The winner of each path qualifies for the World Cup.