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Germany secured their place in Brazil with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Ireland in their World Cup Group C qualifying match.

Sami Khedira’s 12th minute opener set the tone in what was a hugely one sided affair, before Andre Schurrle’s well-taken goal doubled the hosts lead after the break. Mesut Ozil capped a wonderful evening for the hosts, scoring a third in stoppage time to send Germany into the World Cup finals.

The hosts were relentless in their attempts to find the back of the net throughout the 90 minutes, forcing Ireland deep into their own half as the Germans attacked in numbers.

Marcell Jansen and Philipp Lahm enjoyed tremendous success down their respective flanks, beating their opposing number on almost every occasion before delivering testing balls into the penalty area.

David Forde was at his very best, denying Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Schurrle on separate occasions but could do nothing as Khedira’s shot took a wicked deflection off Ciaran Clark and into the back of the net.

Ireland’s only chance of the half came moments before half-time when Clark’s smart header from 12 yards crashed back off the crossbar and away to safety.

Schurrle was able to convert a well-worked corner with little over half an hour to go, putting the contest well beyond doubt, if it wasn’t so already.

Ireland searched for a consolation goal at the death but were caught out by a swift counter-attack, Ozil clipping the ball over the outstanding Forde from a tight angle.

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