PARIS — Four-time winners Germany cruised past 10-man Luxembourg and Kylian Mbappe helped France see off Azerbaijan in World Cup qualifying on Friday before going off with a sore right ankle.
Captain Joshua Kimmich’s double inspired Germany to a 4-0 win over Luxembourg and to the top of Group A on goal difference with Slovakia and Northern Ireland, who await them in Belfast on Monday.
Germany showed the poise and swagger that had abandoned them so far in their World Cup qualifying campaign, losing away in Slovakia for the first time and edging past Northern Ireland at home.
Kimmich converted a first-half penalty and tapped in from close range just after the break.
David Raum’s first-half free kick and a Serge Gnabry goal early in the second half secured the Germans an important victory.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann praised his team’s “aggression and greed”.
“We could have scored one or two more, but it was a deserved win, one we absolutely wanted and needed,” he added.
Germany were eliminated at the group stage of the World Cup in 2018 and 2022.
Lowly Luxembourg’s task was made even harder when after only 20 minutes Dirk Carlson saw red and gave away a penalty for handball in the box.
Northern Ireland kept alive their dream of appearing at their fourth World Cup and first since 1986 with a 2-0 home win over Slovakia courtesy of Patrik Hrosovsky’s own goal and Trai Hume’s stunning volley nine minutes from time to ignite the fans at Windsor Park.
“It was a great night, good performance and the most important thing is the three points. I think we deserved it” said the Sunderland defender.
Over in Paris, Mbappe’s fine form continued at the Parc des Princes when the France captain struck on the stroke of half-time for his 10th goal in successive games for Real Madrid and his country.
However Mbappe was replaced late by the returning Florian Thauvin after taking two knocks to his already sore right ankle.
Adrien Rabiot and Thauvin were also on the scoresheet as Didier Deschamps’s men eased past Azerbaijan 3-0 to remain unbeaten after three games and top of Group D.
