Germany beat Russia 1-0 in a packed Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow Saturday night to secure their qualification for next year's World Cup Finals. The result leaves Russia in second place in Qualifying Group 4 and, four points clear of third place Finland, they are now guaranteed a spot in the playoffs.
Germany's winner came in the 35th minute courtesy of Miroslav Klose. His colleague Mesut Oezil had pounced on a Russian defensive mistake, and quickly passed the ball to Klose. The Russian keeper, pulled out of position by the defensive howler, could do nothing, and Klose slotted the ball home from close range.
The goal was somewhat against the run of play - cheered on by more than 80,000 home fans, Russia were by far the more positive side throughout most of the game, but German goalkeeper Rene Adler was a deserved man of the match. He was the difference between the two sides, and made a series of stunning saves to deny Russia's forwards. He expected to become even busier after Jerome Boateng picked up a second yellow card of the match and was dismissed from the field of play. But Germany defied expectations, and their hastily organized 10 man defence actually seemed more in control of the game than the full 11 man team had done earlier in the second half.
Although Russia continued to press forward, Arshavin and company couldn't find a way through, and once a late penalty claim was denied by the referee, it became clear that Russia would have to settle for second place in the group, and attempt to force their way into the World Cup Finals via the playoffs later this season.
Russia will travel to fifth placed Azerbaijan this week for their last qualifying match. Although it will not affect the outcome of the group, Russia's team will want to get some additional practice ahead of their two leg playoff tie.