Germans don’t hold back

Frankfurt, November 20

Serge Gnabry hit a hat-trick as Germany finished top of their Euro 2020 qualifying group after brushing Northern Ireland aside 6-1 on Tuesday.

Having already booked their berth on Saturday by defeating Belarus, the emphatic win in Frankfurt means Germany finish their qualifying campaign top of Group C ahead of the Netherlands.

The Dutch also qualified last weekend. Northern Ireland finish third and will go into the play-offs for the Euro 2020 finals.

Gnabry reached 13 goals in as many internationals as the Northern Irish were given a masterclass in finishing. Another Bayern Munich player Leon Goretzka also finished with two goals before Dortmund winger Julian Brandt grabbed Germany's sixth goal late on.

This was Gnabry's second hat-trick for Germany. He also scored three goals on his 2016 debut in an 8-0 mauling of minnows San Marino. 

Brandt completed the rout by finishing off a Kroos pass with the Northern Irish defence again exposed to delight home fans. — AFP

Road to Euro 2020  

QUALIFIED TEAMS: 21

Belgium, Italy, Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Spain, France, Turkey, England, Czech Republic, Sweden, Croatia, Austria, Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Switzerland, Denmark, Wales and Finland (debutants). 

REMAINING SPOTS: 4

16 teams, including 2016 edition’s quarterfinalists Iceland, will fight for the four remaining spots in the Play-offs.