Germany and Netherlands reach the World Cup after big wins in final qualifiers

LEIPZIG Germany AP So much for Germany being at liability of missing the World Cup A - thrashing of Slovakia on Monday completed Germany s recovery from a shocking start to group play as the four-time champion maintained its proud record of reliably qualifying for the World Cup Related Articles Cristiano Ronaldo set for record th World Cup Erling Haaland and Norway qualify Croatia qualifies for World Cup by beating Faroe Islands and Netherlands move closer Qualifying process for World Cup hits the final stretch France qualifies for World Cup Ronaldo sent off as Portugal loses to Ireland FIFA announces new peace prize to be awarded at World Cup draw in Washington The Germans will be competing on soccer s biggest stage for the st time in editions They didn t enter the inaugural World Cup and were not allowed to enter the edition The Netherlands a long-standing rival of Germany also won its group to reach next year s tournament being held in the United States Canada and Mexico A - over Lithuania saw the Dutch qualify with an unbeaten record finishing ahead of Poland Slovakia and Poland will be in the playoffs the draw for which takes place on Thursday AP soccer https apnews com hub soccer