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Reuters

Northern Ireland beat Czechs to make sure of top two finish

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Northern Ireland vs Czech Republic - Belfast, Britain - September 4, 2017 Northern Ireland’s Josh Magennis in action with Czech Republic’s Tomas Soucek REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

BELFAST (Reuters) - Northern Ireland made sure of a top two finish in their World Cup qualifying group with a 2-0 win over Czech Republic who were eliminated on Monday.

First-half goals from Johnny Evans and Chris Brunt gave the Irish their fifth successive win in the group, all with clean sheets. Evans headed past Tomas Vaclik in the 28th minute and Brunt curled in a free kick four minutes before halftime.

Northern Ireland have 19 points in Group C with two games each to play, nine clear of third-placed Azerbaijan and five behind leaders Germany. Fourth-placed Czech are out of the running with nine points.

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Northern Ireland vs Czech Republic - Belfast, Britain - September 4, 2017 Northern Ireland’s Conor McLaughlin in action with Czech Republic’s Jan Boril Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

The winners of the nine European groups qualify directly for Russia next year and the eight best runners-up go into a playoff round for four more places.

(Writing by Brian Homewood, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Northern Ireland vs Czech Republic - Belfast, Britain - September 4, 2017 Northern Ireland’s Chris Brunt scores their second goal from a free kick REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Northern Ireland vs Czech Republic - Belfast, Britain - September 4, 2017 Northern Ireland’s Conor McLaughlin in action with Czech Republic’s Jan Boril Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Northern Ireland vs Czech Republic - Belfast, Britain - September 4, 2017 Czech Republic’s Ladislav Krejci in action with Northern Ireland’s Josh Magennis Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Northern Ireland vs Czech Republic - Belfast, Britain - September 4, 2017 Northern Ireland’s Chris Brunt (C) celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Northern Ireland vs Czech Republic - Belfast, Britain - September 4, 2017 Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill speaks to Stuart Dallas during the game REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Northern Ireland vs Czech Republic - Belfast, Britain - September 4, 2017 Northern Ireland’s Jonny Evans celebrates scoring their first goal with team mates REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Northern Ireland vs Czech Republic - Belfast, Britain - September 4, 2017 Northern Ireland’s Chris Brunt (L) celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Northern Ireland vs Czech Republic - Belfast, Britain - September 4, 2017 Northern Ireland fans REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Northern Ireland vs Czech Republic - Belfast, Britain - September 4, 2017 Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill and Steven Davis celebrate after the match REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Northern Ireland vs Czech Republic - Belfast, Britain - September 4, 2017 Czech Republic coach Karel Jarolim REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Northern Ireland vs Czech Republic - Belfast, Britain - September 4, 2017 Northern Ireland’s Chris Brunt reacts Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Northern Ireland vs Czech Republic - Belfast, Britain - September 4, 2017 Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Northern Ireland vs Czech Republic - Belfast, Britain - September 4, 2017 Northern Ireland fans REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

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