Germany stormed into their 19th consecutive FIFA World Cup finals with a dominant 6-0 victory over Slovakia, completing their qualifying campaign in emphatic style and delivering the perfect response to their shock 2-0 defeat in their first encounter.
Softfootball earlier reported that Julian Nagelsmann had demanded fight and hunger from his players after that loss to Slovakia in the opening qualifier. Germany delivered exactly that here and more with a ruthless performance that erased all lingering doubts about their credentials.
Nick Woltemade, who was on the scoresheet twice as Germany beat Luxembourg earlier last week in the qualifiers, added to his growing tally by opening the scoring in the 18th minute. Unmarked and composed, he guided Joshua Kimmich’s pinpoint cross past Martin Dúbravka to set the tone for a one-sided evening.
Dúbravka briefly kept Slovakia afloat with a strong save from Serge Gnabry, but the Bayern winger soon made amends by poking home a clever through ball from Leon Goretzka to double the lead. From there, Germany were relentless. Leroy Sané, making his first appearance in this qualification cycle, repaid Nagelsmann’s trust with his first international brace since November 2021.
He finished coolly when played through for Germany’s third, before smashing in a deft back-post cross from Florian Wirtz to make it 4-0 before the break.
Sané came close to completing his first career hat-trick early in the second half, but his fizzing strike from an indirect free-kick was deflected wide by Ivan Schranz. Slovakia already assured of a play-off spot struggled to keep up with Germany’s tempo, and the introduction of fresh legs only worsened their misery
Substitute Ridle Baku rifled inside the near post for Germany’s fifth after receiving a pass from Gnabry, marking his first international goal in more than four years. Minutes later, 17-year-old debutant Assan Ouédraogo swept in Sané’s lay-off to cap a dream first appearance and equal Slovakia’s joint-heaviest defeat in history.
Slovakia held on late to avoid setting an unwanted record outright, but this was a night to forget for them and one they must quickly move past ahead of the play-offs if they hope to reach only their second World Cup as an independent nation.
After the game, Germany via its official X handle, shared the official confirmation and celebatory post that the team has clinched a spot at the next year FIFA World Cup. They posted;
Germany, meanwhile, can confidently begin their preparations for North America 2026, where they will aim to lift a record-equalling fifth world title after responding to Nagelsmann’s call with the most resounding performance of their entire campaign.
