A first-half strike by Miroslav Klose sent 10-man Germany to
next year's World Cup finals as the visitors beat Russia 1-0 in
their top-of-the-table Group Four qualifier on Saturday.
The striker, who is yet to score in the Bundesliga for Bayern
Munich this season, capitalised on a defensive mix-up and fired
into an empty net in the 35th minute to put his team ahead after
a clever pass by Mesut Ozil left Russia goalkeeper Igor Akenfeyev
off his line. It was Klose's 50th goal for his country.
Germany, who have 25 points from nine games, will finish top
of the group with second-placed Russia, on 21 points, still able
to join them in next year's finals with a win in the playoffs. |
