2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying: Germany 6 - Norway 0

World
Europe

To football where world champions Germany were looking to take a step closer to clinching a spot in next year's tournament. Die Mannschaft have been perfect through seven matches in Group C, and would face little resistance in trying to make it eight, as they hosted a very overwhelmed Norwegian side.

Mesut Ozil puts the hosts ahead in the 10th minute, and that opens the floodgates for Joachim Loew's side. In the 17th minute, Ozil sets up Julian Draxler in the middle of the box, and the Paris Saint Germain attacker turns and fires, and sends his low drive into the corner of the net to make it 2-nil. hosts.

Only four minutes later, Timo Werner taps in the third goal on the night with the Norwegians in a daze. The Leipzig striker then grabs another in the 40th to put the Germans four goal ahead at half-time. It's his sixth goal in eight international games.

Germany aren't done there. Five minutes after the break, Draxler finds Leon Goretzka for a header to put the result beyond doubt. It's 5-nil. Mario Gomez scores the sixth for Germany in the 79th to seal a 6-nil whitewashing over Norway. The Germans maintain their perfect record in the group.

And here is a look at the pool, Germany are on top with 24 points from their eight matches. Northern Ireland are on second with 19, nine ahead of third placed Azerbaijan. It looks a matter of time for the Germans to qualify for the World Cup next year.

In Group F, England are looking for a victory over Slovakia at Wembley. But Gareth Southgate's side suffer a torrid start. Only three minutes in, Adam Nemec plays in Stanislav Lobotka to poke the ball past the advancing Joe Hart. It's 1-0.

In the 37th, England manage to level the score. Off a corner-kick play, Marcus Rashford picks out Eric Dier at the near post for a cool finish. It's 1-all at half-time.

Rashford will turn hero for the hosts after providing the assist. In the 59th, the 19-year-old fires in a superb strike to seal the 2-1 victory for England. Rashford pays back the trust from Southgate and paves the way for England to next year's World Cup.

The victory put England five points ahead of Slovakia at the top of Group F with two games remaining. Victory over Slovenia at Wembley next month will mean they can begin booking hotels in Russia. The Slovenians are third. They are on level with Scotland on 14 points, only one behind second placed Slovakia.