Germany booked their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Slovakia, confirming their top spot in Group A and avoiding the uncertainty of the play-offs. Under the guidance of manager Julian Nagelsmann, the four-time World Cup winners delivered an attacking masterclass while maintaining defensive solidity, achieving their fourth consecutive clean sheet in the qualification campaign.

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Woltemade and Gnabry Spark Germany Early

Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade, who had already scored twice against Luxembourg earlier in the week, opened the scoring for Germany in Leipzig. His powerful header from Joshua Kimmich’s cross gave the hosts an early advantage, setting the tone for a dominant display.

Shortly afterward, Serge Gnabry doubled Germany’s lead, finishing into the corner after a perfectly timed pass from Leon Goretzka. The duo combined again to devastating effect when Leroy Sane slotted home a sublime cross from Florian Wirtz, giving Germany a commanding 4-0 lead at half-time.

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Sane, Baku, and Ouedraogo Extend the Lead

The second half saw Germany maintain control, with Ridley Baku scoring his first goal for the national team since 2021. Bayern Munich’s Gnabry provided the assist, shifting across to Baku who fired a low, precise strike into the net.

Adding to the scoring spree, Assan Ouedraogo marked his international debut with a clinical finish just 12 minutes later, slotting the ball into the bottom corner after coming on as a substitute.

This comprehensive performance highlighted Germany’s depth and attacking versatility, with Premier League and Bundesliga talents combining seamlessly to dismantle Slovakia.

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Slovakia Struggle Against German High Press

Slovakia, who had hoped for a win to secure automatic qualification, struggled to penetrate Germany’s high defensive line. Their only notable opportunity came when Oliver Baumann produced a crucial save to deny David Duris from close range. Ultimately, Slovakia will now face the uncertainty of the World Cup play-offs, while Germany celebrates a smooth passage to North America in 2026.

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Germany’s Road to the 2026 World Cup

Germany’s qualification campaign has been characterized by a blend of youthful energy and experienced leadership. The team demonstrated consistent attacking prowess and defensive resilience, finishing top of Group A with a clean sheet record that speaks to their discipline under Nagelsmann.

Key players such as Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, and Florian Wirtz have been instrumental in securing qualification, while emerging talents like Woltemade and Ouedraogo have added new options for the squad ahead of next year’s tournament.

With qualification confirmed, Germany can now focus on World Cup preparations, refining tactics and integrating young prospects to build a squad capable of competing for the title in 2026.