SKOPJE, Oct 11 (Reuters) – Germany became the first European team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup by crushing North Macedonia 4-0 away on Monday to secure top spot in Group J with two games to spare.

A second-half double by Timo Werner and one goal each from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala secured Germany’s fifth win in their fifth game under new coach Hansi Flick and lifted them to 21 points, with Romania in second place on 13.

All group winners in European qualification automatically secure a place at the tournament in Qatar.

“From the result it was perfect. We got what we wanted, qualified as quickly as possible and we now have five wins in a row,” Flick, who succeeded Joachim Loew earlier this year, said.

“Again the attitude was right. Compliments to the team. They did not ease off. The first half was a bit wild and we lacked a bit of precision. But we kept at it. We can be satisfied.”

The Germans, who were eliminated in the first round of the 2018 World Cup and the last 16 at this year’s Euros, had an early chance with a Thomas Mueller header.

But, as in their 2-1 home win over Romania on Friday, the Germans lacked precision with their final pass and finishing, creating only a handful of chances in the first half until Werner hit the post with a low drive in stoppage time.

Germany, beaten 2-1 by North Macedonia in March, broke the deadlock in the 50th minute when Serge Gnabry split the defence with a superb through ball for Mueller and he laid it off for Havertz to tap in.

Forward Werner then scored twice in three minutes, first drilling in from another Mueller assist in the 70th and then curling a shot home from 15 metres three minutes later.

“It was difficult at the start but it was good we did not concede a goal,” Werner, who has now netted in four of the five matches under Flick.

“We know that if we push and attack over 90 minutes then it is only a matter of time until we score. After the lead it was easier for us.”

Substitute Musiala completed the victory seven minutes before the end with his first international goal.

Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Ken Ferris and Pritha Sarkar

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.