Sweden clinched second place with a game to spare in Group C after Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored late for a 2-1 win over Austria in Stockholm. Austria finished the game with 10 men after Marco Arnautovic was sent off in the closing minutes.
Earlier, the Faeroe Islands drew 1-1 at home against Kazakhstan in a game that had no bearing on qualifying.
Despite missing a host of players through injury, Germany dominated against Ireland, particularly in the first half with more than 75 percent possession and 13 shots on goal compared to two from the visitors.