LEIPZIG, Germany :Germany secured a place at next year's World Cup by crushing Slovakia 6-0 in their final qualifier on Monday, pummeling them into submission with four goals in the first half, and sending their opponents into a playoff in March.

The four-time world champions, who crashed out in the first round of the last two editions of the World Cup, finished top of their group on 15 points, with the Slovaks second on 12.

The Germans, needing a draw or a win to secure top spot, left nothing to chance and shot out of the blocks to take control early. Unmarked Nick Woltemade headed in for the lead in the 18th minute with his fourth consecutive goal in the last three matches for Germany.

Serge Gnabry should have doubled it when he charged into the box but his low shot was blocked by Slo

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