Germany were rampant and ruthless in Wolfsburg as they made lowly Liechtenstein pay the ultimate price for an early red card. Die Mannschaft started the day comfortably clear at the top of Group J and already assured of their place at Qatar 2022, though there was ‘nein’ sign of complacency as they hit nine past their local opponents.

Antonio Rudiger had a relatively comfortable evening at the back for Hansi Flick’s men, helping Germany to their fifth clean sheet in six games during this qualifying campaign. The decisive moment came inside 10 minutes when Jens Hofer conceded a penalty and was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle in the box on Leon Goretzka.

Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan stepped up to dispatch from 12 yards and the floodgates opened from there, with the hosts racing into a 4-0 lead before the first quarter of the contest was over.

Leroy Sane bagged a brace, one before the break and one just after, while Marco Reus, Ridle Baku and Thomas Muller were also all on the scoresheet.

Germany’s final group game is away in Armenia on Sunday, with Kai Havertz in contention to return after missing training with the national team so far this week. He was suspended for the Liechtenstein game anyway, as is Rudiger for the group finale after picking up his second booking of the campaign.

Spain stride on

Elsewhere, Cesar Azpilicueta was a late substitute as Spain recorded a crucial win against Greece. La Roja are still fighting for their place at the World Cup finals and needed the three points to wrestle back control of the group from Sweden.

It was a tough affair in Athens and a penalty proved to be the difference between the two sides as Pablo Sarabia helped Luis Enrique’s men earn the all-important win. Chelsea captain Azpilicueta replaced Inigo Martinez in the 89th minute, making sure his team-mates got over the line after a cagey encounter.

Spain now host Sweden in the group decider on Sunday, with a draw enough for the 2010 world champions to seal a place at the final tournament.

Draws for Edou and Baba

Qualification in Africa is approaching the end of the second group phase and Baba Rahman was in action for Ghana, playing the duration as the Black Stars dropped crucial points against Ethiopia in Johannesburg.

The defender, on loan this season in the Championship with Reading, started at left-back and his side took the lead through former Swansea City striker Andre Ayew midway through the first half. Yet Ethiopia hit back after the break and snatched a draw with an equalising goal 18 minutes from time.

Combined with South Africa’s victory against Zimbabwe in the other group game, it leaves Ghana three points off the top with one match remaining and only the group winners advancing to the final head-to-head round. The clash between the top two in Cape Coast on Sunday will now determine which nation progresses, with only a Ghana victory enough to take them through.

Meanwhile, Senegal had already progressed to the next round prior to a 1-1 draw against Togo in which Edouard Mendy was between the posts for the Lions of Teranga.

An own goal late in the first half beat the Chelsea goalkeeper and handed the hosts an advantage, which seemed to be enough to seal victory before a stoppage-time leveller. Senegal finish with a game against Congo on Sunday, though they were handed a blow as Liverpool forward Sadio Mane left the field injured before the interval.

Mixed night for young Lions

It was a busy evening for England’s youngsters, with Conor Gallagher continuing his impressive start to the season with another all-action display for the Under-21s at Turf Moor. The midfield man lined up once again for Lee Carsley’s men and played a key role in their second goal against Czech Republic as his fierce shot was palmed into the path of Anthony Gordon to tap in.

Everton’s young forward had forced an own goal moments earlier and a third from Folarin Balogun of Arsenal made things even better before the visitors pulled a goal back from the penalty spot before half-time.

Yet England were worthy winners as they gave their European Championship qualification hopes a timely boost by closing the gap at the top of the group to two points on the Czechs with a game in hand. Gallagher, who helped set the high-pressing tone right from the start with his energy and enthusiasm, was replaced late on with the game won.

England Under-20s were also in action and Henry Lawrence was a starter at right-back but the young Lions went down to a 2-0 defeat in Portugal. Meanwhile, the Under-18s were beaten 3-2 by the Netherlands in a game that Lewis Hall and Brodi Hughes began on the bench.