While no teams joined the already qualified six, countries like Germany, England and Poland are ever closer to booking a place in next year’s mundial.
Germany were the biggest winners of the night, handing Norway their heaviest defeat in over four decades, while Northern Ireland sealed second spot and surely a place in the playoffs.
Group C
Germany 6-0 Norway
Die Mannschaft were brilliant at home to the Norwegians, putting six goals past them thanks to Mesut Ozil, Julian Draxler, Timo Werner, with a brace, and Mario Gomez with the goals.
However, their party was put on hold, at least by one match, by Northern Ireland, who picked up an excellent 2-0 victory over Czech Republic to all but seal second spot and a place in the November playoffs.
Elsewhere in the group, despite smashing San Marino 5-1, Azerbaijan’s World Cup hopes have ended, but they do take solace on the fact that the victory was their highest ever achieved.
Group E
Poland 3-0 Kazakhstan
After their 4-0 thrashing in Denmark, Poland picked themselves up, bouncing back with a morale boasting 3-0 home win over Kazakhstan, which sees them firmly in the group’s driving seat, three points ahead of Montenegro, who defeated Romania 1-0.
Denmark, are also three points behind Poland, after putting 4 goals past Armenia, in their 4-1 away win to keep their hopes of at least a spot in the playoffs alive, thanks to an historic Thomas Delaney hat-trick, the first by a Danish player in a World Cup qualifying match.
Group F
England 2-1 Slovakia
England are also a step closer to Russia after extending their unbeaten run in the qualifiers to 37 matches, after their come from behind win over Slovakia at Wembley.
Slovakia gave them a scare when they took the lead via Stanislav Lobotka’s 3rd minute goal, following Marcus Rashford’s sloppiness in possession, but the 19-year-old made amends when he turned provider just before the break, as Eric Dier leveled things up from his corner.
Midway through the second half, Rashford put England 2-1 up, and his goal turned out the winner, putting them in control of the group, and within a match of booking a place in Russia next year.
However, while England are poised to pick the automatic ticket, the battle for the second spot that guarantees a place in the playoffs remains very much heated.
Three teams, Slovakia, Scotland and Slovenia are separated by just a point, after the latter two picked up valuable wins, with two matches left to play.
Full Results
Azerbaijan 5-1 San Marino
Germany 6-0 Norway
N. Ireland 2-0 Czech Rep.
Armenia 1-4 Denmark
Montenegro 1-0 Romania
Poland 3-0 Kazakhstan
England 2-1 Slovakia
Scotland 2-0 Malta
Slovenia 4-0 Lithuania
Photo Credit: Twitter/@EuroQualifiers
