Brasil 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying: Germany 3 Republic of Ireland 0

Germany sealed their qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup with a comfortable 3-0 home win over Republic of Ireland.

Goals from Sami Khedira and Andre Schurrle and an injury-time Mesut Ozil strike earned Joachim Low's side their place at the showpiece as the winners of Group C with a game to spare.

In the process they also ended Ireland's slim qualification hopes.

Experienced midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger returned for the hosts after a near seven-month international absence, while Ozil won his 50th cap.


In his first game since being appointed Ireland's interim boss, Noel King made Seamus Coleman captain on his 25th birthday with regular skipper, record cap holder and all-time leading goalscorer Robbie Keane taking his place among the substitutes.

After a quiet opening, Khedira gave Germany the lead in the 12th minute.

Philipp Lahm picked off Anthony Stokes' pass deep inside the Irish half and fed Khedira, whose weak shot took a wicked deflection off Ciaran Clark and rolled past the wrong-footed David Forde in the Ireland goal.

Thomas Muller was next to threaten in the 37th minute, driving infield before unleashing a left-footed shot that Forde tipped over, diving full stretch to his right.