Sweden 2 - Austria 1; Germany 3 - Ireland 0; Faroe Islands 1 - Kazakhstan 1

The Faroe Islands had their best opportunity to finally collect points at home against Kazakhstan in Torshavn.  Five minutes from halftime, Faroe Islands scored the best goal in all Group C to date.  Hallur Hansson struck a ball from just above the half circle with the outside of his boot.  The shot was pure and knuckled into the corner of the goal to give the hosts a 1-0 lead at halftime.

A cross from Alexandr Kislitsyn lead to a scramble at the mouth of the Faroese goal.  In the madness of the scrum, Andrey Finonchenko pushed the ball over the line.  Although they did not hold on for the victory, the Faroese did pick up their first point of the campaign.  The match ends 1-1.

Sweden were at home against Austria in Solna with both teams' qualifying fates on the line.  A victory for Sweden would send them into the UEFA Playoffs.  A win or draw for Austria would leave them in pole position to qualify for the playoffs on Tuesday when Austria face Faroe Islands and Sweden face Germany.  Lazy defending by the Swedes allowed Austria to use a three-pass set play to create the opening goal.  David Alaba (pictured, red) faked a shot at goal and then passed off the dead ball to Marko Arnautovic.  The next pass was flicked into the box by a Swedish defender.  One quick pass backward fell to Martin Harnik, whose classy finish made it 1-0 for the visitors.  Johan Elmander shot off the post the very next minute in an attempted Swedish response.  Alaba stripped Per Nilsson at the top of the Swedish box, but Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson was able to make a kick save to prevent the shot from making it to the far post.  Austria took the 1-0 lead with them into their dressing room.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic led the fight back for Sweden.  His cross into the box was nodded in by a diving header from Martin Olsson to level the match at one goal apiece.  Sweden still had to push for the win with the schedule not in their favor on the final matchday.  A pass forward from Kim Kallstrom inside his own half provided the impetus for the go-ahead goal.  Ibrahimovic settled the ball and the turned his sights on goal.  Ibrahimovic buried the shot to give Sweden the lead.  Austria gained a late free kick, but in the aftermath Arnautovic touched his forehead to Elmander's forehead.  A theatrical flop by Elmander resulted in a joke of a red card in minute 90 to Arnautovic, leaving Austria undeservedly down a man for the final part of the match.  Alaba's last-ditch free kick flew just wide.  Sweden win 2-1 and secure second place in Group C.  Austria are eliminated alongside Ireland, who were mere seconds away from being eliminated on their own accord.

Ireland needed a victory on the road in Cologne against group leaders Germany in order to avoid elimination.  Germany needed only a tie in order to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  An Andy Stokes turnover was picked up by Germany captain Philipp Lahm, whose pass forward reached its target.  Sami Khedira collected the pass and then shot.  The ball was blocked by Ciaran Clark, but unfortunately the ball went off his chest into the Irish net.  Germany controlled the rest of the half, but only led 1-0 at the break.

Ireland come out quickly in the second half, perhaps sensing the lull after the resumption of play would be their only opportunity to catch Germany sleeping.  Ireland came close on three occasions but never equalized.  Toni Kroos made Ireland pay for their lack of finishing.  Kroos's pass was received on a half spin by Andre Schurrle, who then continued with another half spin into his shot to score the second goal for Germany.  Germany put the match to bed in stoppage time.  Another ball forward from Kroos led to a goal, this time from Mesut Ozil.  Germany win 3-0 and advance to Brasil 2014 next June.

Germany 25 pts IN
Sweden 20 pts
Austria OUT
Ireland OUT
Kazakhstan OUT
Faroe OUT

Goals
Faroe Islands
Hallur Hansson 41

Kazakhstan
Andrey Finonchenko 55

Sweden
Martin Olsson 56
Zlatan Ibrahimovic 86

Austria
Martin Harnik 29

Germany
Sami Khedira 12
Andre Schurrle 58
Mesut Ozil 90+1

Match Reports:
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008581/postmatch/report/
http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/worldcup/story/sweden-2-1-austria-world-cup-qualifying-match-report-101113
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24468735
http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2013/10/11/4828590/germany-ireland-2014-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result
http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/germany-go-through-after-beating-ireland-by-three-goals-29653309.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iywJfRrcuo (Faroe Islands v. Kazakhstan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIoxozqTMr8 (Sweden v. Austria)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qVFakF7umk (Germany v. Ireland)