Staff Reporter.
Croatia clinched an automatic berth for next year’s World Cup finals in dramatic fashion as a late Fedor Kudryashov own goal gave them a 1-0 home win over Russia in their crunch Group D qualifier on Sunday.
But Kudryashov bundled a cross into his own net with eight minutes to go.
Vyacheslav Karavayev had the chance to snatch the draw the visitors needed in the 90th minute but he shot just over the crossbar.
Croatia, the 2018 World Cup runners-up, jumped above Russia to top the standings on 23 points from 10 games, one more than the second-placed Russians who will head into the March playoffs.
Meanwhile Germany thrashed Armenia in their final World Cup qualifier as boss Hansi Flick extended his winning streak to seven consecutive matches.
Skipper Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored a consolation goal for Armenia from the penalty spot to make the score 3-1.
Armenia’s defeat ended their slim chances of a play-off spot.
Germany, who were missing five players because of defender Niklas Sule’s Covid infection, started brightly with Havertz striking the post in the first five minutes.
The Chelsea midfielder opened the scoring in the 15th minute, tapping home a low Hofmann cross, before Gundogan netted just before half-time with a spot-kick.
The Manchester City man doubled his tally straight after the restart when keeper Stanislav Buchnev spilled his tame effort.
Mkhitaryan pulled a goal back just before the hour mark, but Hofmann was on hand to restore Germany’s three-goal lead less than five minutes later.
Already-qualified Germany, missing a dozen players through injury, suspension and COVID-19 quarantine and having made six changes to the team that beat Liechtenstein 9-0 on Thursday, earned their ninth win in 10 qualifiers to finish in top spot.