News (engl.)

Germany suffered a bitter setback at the start of World Cup qualifying, losing 2-0 away to Slovakia in Bratislava. The result means Julian Nagelsmann’s side are bottom of Group A and already playing catch-up in the race to qualify for the 2026 tournament. It was Germany’s first ever defeat in a World Cup qualifier away from home in their 117-year history – and their first competitive loss against Slovakia.

Nagelsmann’s side struggled for long spells against a lively Slovakia outfit. David Hancko opened the scoring just before the break (42’) and David Strelec added a superb second (55’) to seal the points for the EURO 2016 participants. In the other group game, Luxembourg were beaten 3-1 by Northern Ireland.

Early warning signs for the DFB-Team

Slovakia made the brighter start and came close to taking the lead inside two minutes, when former Bundesliga man Ondrej Duda whipped in a low cross that Lubomir Satka only just failed to convert (2’). The home side pressed aggressively from the start, disrupting Germany’s build-up play – much as they did in their narrow EURO 2024 extra-time defeat to England.

Germany also showed an attacking intent early on, with debutant Nnamdi Collins making several bursts forward from right-back, while Maximilian Mittelstädt provided a spark on the opposite flank. Clear-cut chances, however, were initially hard to come by.

After 20 minutes, the Slovaks ramped up the pressure again. Strelec played a ball in behind for 19-year-old Leo Sauer, who was denied one-on-one by Oliver Baumann (21’). From the resulting corner, Duda’s delivery surprisingly clipped the outside of the post (22’), and just two minutes later, Baumann had to stop Sauer again after another sharp move (23’).

Hancko scores after leading the break

Having survived those scares, Germany began to push forward. Mittelstädt saw a follow-up effort from distance saved by Martin Dubravka (24’), before Antonio Rüdiger headed over from a corner (25’) and Joshua Kimmich fired wide from the edge of the box (27’). At the other end, Sauer continued to cause problems, and Jonathan Tah was forced to clear after Rüdiger was beaten (28’).

The first half remained wide open. Florian Wirtz saw a low shot saved by Dubravka (32’) before the breakthrough finally came – at the wrong end from a German perspective. After losing the ball in Slovakia’s half, Wirtz allowed Hancko to break at speed. The Atletico Madrid defender continued his run, received the return from Strelec at the byline, and fired home from 10 metres (42’).

Strelec stunner kills German momentum

Germany responded at half time by bringing on David Raum for the under-pressure Collins and nearly equalised through Leon Goretzka, who forced a save at the near post (48’). But Slovakia were still dangerous – Strelec was denied once more by Baumann (54’) before doubling the lead moments later. The Middlesbrough striker weaved past Rüdiger and curled an unstoppable shot into the top corner (55’).

Germany had no reply to the second goal. The tempo dropped, and although the four-time world champions dominated possession, they lacked creativity and failed to threaten. A low strike from Goretzka earned a corner (71’), but little more.

In the closing stages, Nagelsmann’s side resorted to hopeful long balls, but these too proved ineffective. Slovakia had a late own-goal scare when Satka sliced a clearance towards his own net, only for Dubravka to make the save (90’+4). All in all, it was a night to forget for the DFB-Team.