Germany secured a place at next year’s World Cup by crushing Slovakia 6-0 in their final qualifier on Monday, dominating from the start with four goals in the first half and sending Slovakia into a playoff in March.
Leroy Sane scored twice, while Nick Woltemade and Serge Gnabry also struck in a dominant first half that saw Germany quickly seal victory and secure top spot in Group A, automatically qualifying for next year’s tournament.
The four-time world champions, who crashed out in the first round of the last two World Cups, finished top of their group with 15 points, with Slovakia second on 12.
“Every player gave it all,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said. “We played a really great game. We worked very hard, scored great goals, and were convincing with our game. Today there is no reason to complain. There was pressure, and they pushed themselves and showed a great team spirit. I am proud of the team.”
Germany, needing a draw or a win to secure top spot, left nothing to chance and started strongly. Unmarked Woltemade headed in the lead in the 18th minute, marking his fourth consecutive goal in three matches for Germany.
Serge Gnabry nearly doubled the lead when his low shot was blocked by Slovakia keeper Martin Dubravka in the 25th minute, but he made amends four minutes later, converting a perfect Leon Goretzka pass to make it 2-0.
Florian Wirtz then set up Leroy Sane in the 36th minute to curl a shot past Dubravka, putting the game largely out of reach, before assisting Sane again five minutes later for his second goal of the evening.
Slovakia, who had beaten Germany in Bratislava in September, struggled to respond to the hosts’ relentless pressure.
“From the first to the last second we did not allow anything at the back and were creative,” said striker Woltemade. “I hope it was fun to watch us tonight. It is great to play for Germany. We have now qualified for the World Cup.”
The pace eased after the break, but substitutes Ridle Baku and 19-year-old Assan Ouedraogo added a goal apiece, with Ouedraogo becoming the youngest player to score for Germany on his debut.
Germany, who have qualified for the World Cup for the 21st time—second only to Brazil’s 23—have set their sights on winning the tournament, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, to restore their reputation as a global football powerhouse. They have not reached a final in a major international tournament since their fourth World Cup win in 2014 in Brazil.
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