Germany secured their place at the 2026 World Cup with a dominant 6-0 victory over Slovakia in their final Group A qualifier in Leipzig. The win confirmed Julian Nagelsmann’s side as group winners, while the heavy defeat relegates Slovakia to the play-offs.
The hosts entered the decisive match needing only a draw to ensure automatic qualification, while a victory for Slovakia would have seen them top the group. Any German nerves were settled early when striker Nick Woltemade continued his strong form, opening the scoring with a powerful header from a Joshua Kimmich cross.
Germany effectively ended the contest with a three-goal flurry before half-time. Serge Gnabry doubled the lead, finishing into the corner from a well-threaded Leon Goretzka pass. Leroy Sane then slotted home a third goal after connecting with a sublime through ball from Florian Wirtz. The two combined again just before the break, with Sane prodding in a Wirtz cross at the far post to make it 4-0.
The second half saw the hosts add two more. Substitute Ridle Baku scored his first international goal since 2021, firing a low strike home after being set up by Gnabry. Midfielder Assan Ouedraogo then capped the evening by scoring the sixth goal just two minutes after coming on to make his senior international debut.
The comprehensive victory also marked Germany’s fourth consecutive clean sheet. Slovakia, who now face the uncertainty of the play-offs, had a brief opening at 1-0, but goalkeeper Oliver Baumann made a sharp save to deny David Duris from close range.
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