Eriksen inspires Denmark to World Cup after Ireland rout

Denmark's Christian Eriksen got a hat-trick in a 5-1 thrashing of Ireland in their playoff second leg Tuesday to help secure the final European berth at next year's World Cup.

Denmark becomes the 30th team to clinch a 2018 World Cup berth. The other 2 spots will be clinched tomorrow (Australia-Honduras & Peru-New Zealand). pic.twitter.com/bhlVoMfK7A

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 14, 2017

The Danes, who were frustrated by the well organised Irish in a scrappy goalless first leg in Copenhagen, fell behind to a Shane Duffy header after seven minutes but soon struck back.

Hat-trick hero! ⚽️⚽️⚽️

?? Christian Eriksen has now scored 9 goals in his last 8 games for Denmark. ??? pic.twitter.com/fw656QlR5L— European Qualifiers (@EuroQualifiers) November 14, 2017

The visitor scored twice in three minutes when Andreas Christensen's stabbed effort on the half-hour hit the post and went in off Ireland's Cyrus Christie and that was quickly followed by a superb strike from Eriksen.

Denmark qualify for their fifth World Cup. It will be the first World Cup finals to feature three Nordic nations. ??????

— Kristian Jack (@KristianJack) November 14, 2017

Ireland tried to regroup but were easily picked off on the counter attack as Eriksen curled in his second, this time with his left foot, after 64 minutes, and completed his treble 10 minutes later before Nicklas Bendtner added a late penalty.RESULTIreland 1 (Duffy 6) Denmark 5 (Christensen 29, Eriksen 32, 63, 74, Bendtner 90-P)Denmark won 5-1 on aggregate