Germany, Belgium, Switzerland reach World Cup

THREE-TIME champions Germany, Belgium and Switzerland reached the World Cup finals on Friday as England, Russia and Bosnia-Herzegovina edged closer to Brazil. Germany booked their place with a convincing 3-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in Cologne to move to 25 points in Group C. Belgium beat Croatia 2-1 in Zagreb to top Group A and make the finals for the first time since 2002. Switzerland, meanwhile, reached the finals for the third time after a 2-1 win over Albania in Tirana to assure them of top spot in Group E. The three join Italy and Netherlands who had already made sure of qualification. Goals by Real Madrid's Sami Khedira, Chelsea's Andre Schuerrle and Arsenal's...