Germany book their place in World Cup Finals

Germany book their place in World Cup Finals

Germany booked their ticket for next summer's World Cup finals with a slender 1-0 victory over Russia in Moscow.

Miroslav Klose scored the only goal of the game in the 34th minute as Germany weathered early and late storms and rode their luck after Jerome Boateng was sent off on his debut in the 69th minute.

But Joachim Low's side held on to open up an unassailable four-point lead at the top of Group Four with one game remaining, leaving Guus Hiddink's Russia with the consolation of a place in the play-offs.

Spain remained on course to complete a perfect record in qualifying as they made it nine wins from nine with a 2-1 victory over Armenia in a rain-drenched Yerevan.

In a clash between a Spanish side who had already secured their spot in next year's World Cup finals and an Armenia team whose outside hopes of going to South Africa had vanished long ago, it was the European champions who came out on top thanks to Juan Mata's second-half penalty.

Mata coolly slotted home what would prove to be the winning goal from the spot in the 64th minute, just six minutes after Armenia had stunned their visitors by equalising through Robert Arzumanyan.

Spain had earlier taken the lead with a brilliant goal from Cesc Fabregas midway through the first half.

Goals from Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic ensured Bosnia-Herzegovina will finish second in Group Five as they beat Estonia 2-0 to progress to the play-offs for a place in South Africa.

Miroslav Blazevic's side had won the first meeting between the sides 7-0 last September but they were made to work harder for victory this time around in Tallinn.

A cagey opening was played in an unusual atmosphere as the away fans remained quiet for 24 minutes to remember Sarajevo fan Vedran Puljic, who was killed in violence ahead of his team's match at Siroki Brijeg in the domestic league on Sunday.

Two goals in as many minutes from defender Philippe Senderos teed up a comfortable 3-0 victory for visiting Switzerland as their hopes of qualification from Group Two were boosted in Luxembourg.

Arsenal centre-half Senderos netted in the sixth minute to put his side ahead before repeating the feat just two minutes later to put the Swiss firmly in control.

Benjamin Huggel made it three after 22 minutes and the hosts were unable to muster a response.

Bulgaria's slim hopes of clinching a play-off place were ended as Cyprus ran out comfortable 4-1 winners in their Group Eight qualifier in Larnaca.

Constantinos Charalambides' early brace put the hosts in the ascendancy and, although Dimitar Berbatov halved the deficit on the stroke of half-time, second-half goals from Michalis Constantinou and Stathis Aloneftis sealed the rout.

The result meant Bulgaria were unable to catch second-placed Republic of Ireland and moved fourth-placed Cyprus to within two points of their third-spotted opponents with one round of matches remaining on Wednesday.

Belarus completed their home fixtures in Group Six with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Kazakhstan in Brest.

Timofei Kalachev scored twice for the hosts with Maksim Bordachev and Leonid Kovel also getting on the scoresheet.

The result was vindication for home coach Bernd Stange's decision to omit several big-name players, including Alexander Hleb, his brother Vyacheslav and BATE Borisov midfielder Igor Stasevich, in an attempt to look to the future.