Germany blitzes Russia, reaches 17th World Cup
LONDON – Defending champion Italy and three-time winner Germany were among four European nations to qualify for the World Cup on Saturday.
Denmark and Serbia also made it to next year’s championship in South Africa, while group leaders Switzerland and Slovakia were left to wait until the last round of qualifying games on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, already-qualified England’s winning streak was ended at eight games after a 1-0 loss at Ukraine, and 2006 runner-up France was left to seek a place in the playoffs. Germany qualified for the World Cup for the 17th time with a 1-0 victory over Russia.
Denmark qualified after a 1-0 victory over Sweden in Copenhagen. Jakob Poulsen scored the only goal at Parken Stadium, where the Danes have not lost a World Cup qualifier since 1981.
England had already joined the Netherlands and Spain in reaching next year’s tournament from European qualifying, but hoped to go to South Africa after winning all 10 group games.
The eight best runners-up in the nine groups will go into the playoffs, with second-place Norway in Group 9 expected to miss out.
Switzerland is closer to qualifying after a 3-0 victory over Luxembourg in Group 2, helped by two early headed goals by Phillipe Senderos. (AP)
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