LEIPZIG, Germany (Reuters) -Germany secured a place at next year's World Cup by crushing Slovakia 6-0 in their final qualifier on Monday, pummeling them into submission with four goals in the first half, and sending their opponents into a playoff in March.

Leroy Sane scored twice and Nick Woltemade and Serge Gnabry also struck in a dominant first half that saw Germany quickly seal victory and secure top spot in Group A to automatically qualify for next year's tournament.