Austria 1 - Ireland 0; Germany 3 - Faroe Islands 0; Sweden 1 - Kazakhstan 0

Sweden were on the road in Astana to take on Kazakhstan.  Kazakhstan were caught on a counterattack less than thirty seconds into the match.  Albin Ekdal supplied the final pass forward and Zlatan Ibrahimovic provided the finish to stun the Kazakhs with a goal in the opening minute.  Kazakhstan nearly pulled level as a nice through ball allowed Sergey Khiznichenko to beat the Swedish centerback in a foot race, but a sprawling save by Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson preserved the lead.

Khiznichenko was again denied by Isaksson, this time off a cheeky backheel from a Kazakh cross that Khiznichenko surely thought would have fooled Isaksson.  Ekdal nearly had a superb goal, but the inward curl did not beat the far post as the ball bounced back into play.  Ibrahimovic was denied his second goal by the trailing leg of Kazakhstan goalkeeper Andrey Sidelnikov.  Sweden were nonetheless able to come out victorious on this night by a score of 1-0.

Vienna was the site for Ireland's visit to Austria.  Both teams needed a win to remain within touching distance of Sweden for second place.  David Alaba (pictured, red) had a dipping shot from distance parried aside by Ireland goalkeeper David Forde.  Richard Dunne was able to block a subsequent Alaba strike, and the shot off the rebound from Martin Harnik was denied by Forde.  The teams exited the field tied at zero.

The Irish remained resolute in defense.  A double block with a diving header and then a body block from Irish defender Seamus Coleman could have become the stuff of legend had Ireland produced a result.  Instead, Alaba was again the hero for Austria.  An odd clearance deflection landed at his feet with time and space in the box.  Alaba made no mistake with the finish and gave Austria the lead with just over five minutes left in the match.  Ireland managed no shots on goal in this match.  Austria win 1-0.

Germany had made the trip north to Torshavn to face the Faroe Islands.  Midway through the first half, Germany made a corner kick opportunity pay off.  Two defenders combined for the goal as a Jerome Boateng flick header at the near post lead to a high-leg finish from Per Mertesacker at the fall post.  Germany took the 1-0 lead with them into their dressing room.

Minute 73 saw the Faroese go down a man when Atli Gregersen was sent off for a red card.  Thomas Muller, who was in with a chance to score after latching onto a long through ball, decided to use a dirty flopping technique rather than actually attempt a shot, and he was rewarded for his chicanery.  Germany would convert the penalty kick for a 2-0 lead.  Germany converted their ill-begotten penalty kick.  They added a third when Muller scored off a rolled cross from Philipp Lahm.  Germany win 3-0 and clinch at worst a spot in the UEFA Playoffs.

Germany 22 pts +21
Sweden 17 pts +6
Austria 14 pts +8
Ireland 11 pts 0
Kazakhstan OUT
Faroe OUT

Goals
Sweden
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 1

Austria
David Alaba 84

Germany
Per Mertesacker 23
Mesut Ozil 74 PK
Thomas Muller 84

Match Reports:
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008593/postmatch/report/index.html
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/austria-1-0-republic-ireland-lacklustre-2265712
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24007947
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2416911/Austria-1-Republic-Ireland-0--match-report-David-Alabas-winner-heaps-pressure-Giovanni-Trapattoni.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2416971/Faroe-Islands-0-Germany-3-Mesut-Ozil-Per-Mertesacker-combine-away-win.html
http://www.dw.de/germany-beat-faroe-islands-3-0-superior-not-sensational/a-17081528
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/9/10/4716498/faroe-islands-germany-2014-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnk6gh22iP0 (Sweden v. Kazakhstan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi3QhE8F-QQ (Austria v. Ireland)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMnU3pHL3kc (Germany v. Faroe Islands)