Everyone expected Germany, brimming with talent and playing with such a stylish confidence these days, to cruise into Brazil. Joachim Löw’s team has reliably delivered the goods with just a single draw and no losses through nine matches. The latest triumph came Friday with a business-like 3-0 win over Ireland, establishing Germany as the 11th team to officially book its spot at World Cup 2014 in Brazil.
Germany was the third team to stamp its ticket on Friday, following successful afternoons from Germany and Switzerland.
Low’s team was in control right from the start Friday against overmatched Ireland, requiring just a single point in the match to qualify for Brazil but jumping to a quick lead in Cologne and seeing out all three points without much fuss. In fact, only a handful of swell stops from Ireland goalkeeper David Forde helped keep the score from being worse.
Die Mannschaft has qualified for every World Cup in which it has been eligible. (The team played as West Germany until 1990.)
For Ireland, the World Cup dream is over. The Irish had only an outside chance as it was, but Friday’s loss means to trip to Brazil for LA Galaxy man Robbie Keane – who is 33 and almost certainly won’t have another chance – and the rest of his countrymen.
Keane could not pass a late fitness test and was on the bench Friday. The man who replaced him, Celtic’s Anthony Stokes, fumbled away possession in his own end early in the match. Germany’s Philipp Lahm pounced, quickly finding Sami Khedira whose deflected shot gave Germany a lead after just 12 minutes.
A brilliant goal concocted from Toni Kroos’s delicate, short-range chip and Andre Schurrle’s skillful turn put the game out of reach midway through the second half.