Mesut Ozil scored the first goal and set up another late in the first half for Gomez as Germany recovered from a shaky start and virtually sealed their place in next year’s tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Azerbaijan, who hit the bar before Germany opened the scoring, grabbed a consolation through substitute Murad Huseynov in the 89th minute before Andre Schuerrle made it 3-1 in stoppage time.

Group A leaders Germany lead the six-team group with 21 points from seven games, 10 ahead of Belgium and a further one ahead of third-placed Turkey, who have in a game in hand.

Only Turkey have a mathematical chance of depriving the Germans of top spot.

The Azeris, with their German coach Berti Vogts saying he would stay on despite being attacked by three people at a press conference in Baku on Sunday, have three points.

The hosts were by no means pushovers and started brightly, Vugar Nadyrov hitting the bar after a defensive blunder by Mats Hummels.

Germany quickly recovered and took the initiative with Benedikt Hoewedes floating over a cross for Ozil who held off the Azeri defenders to score from close range on the half hour.

The Real Madrid midfielder then set up Germany’s second, slicing open the Azeri defence for Gomez, who scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Austria on Friday, to double the lead just before the break.

The hosts refused to give up the ghost and Huseynov had already come close before pulling one back from close range after slack German defending.

Azerbaijan sensed an equaliser but instead left themselves wide open and Schuerrle made the game safe deep into stoppage time.