Germany emphatically booked their ticket to the 2026 World Cup, delivering a stunning 6-0 demolition of Slovakia in their final qualifying match. The four-time world champions produced a devastating first-half performance, scoring four goals to crush their opponents and finish top of their group.
Commanding German Performance Seals Qualification
The match was effectively decided before half-time as Germany unleashed a relentless attacking display. Nick Woltemade broke the deadlock in the 18th minute, powering a header into the net for his fourth consecutive goal in Germany's last three matches. The forward was completely unmarked when he connected, setting the tone for a one-sided affair.
Serge Gnabry doubled the advantage soon after, latching onto a perfectly weighted pass from Leon Goretzka. The hosts continued their dominance with Florian Wirtz becoming the creative catalyst, first setting up Leroy Sané to curl a superb shot past goalkeeper Martin Dubravka in the 36th minute. Wirtz provided another assist just five minutes later as Sané completed his brace, putting the game beyond doubt before the interval.
Netherlands Join Germany with Comfortable Victory
Meanwhile, the Netherlands secured their own World Cup qualification with a straightforward 4-0 victory over Lithuania at home. The Dutch finished top of Group G, three points clear of second-placed Poland, who secured a playoff spot with a dramatic 3-2 win away to Malta.
Tijjani Reijnders gave the Netherlands a 1-0 lead at half-time before the hosts accelerated after the break with a rapid trio of goals. Cody Gakpo, Xavi Simons, and Donyell Malen all found the net in the second period, demonstrating the squad's attacking depth and ensuring their place at next year's global tournament.
Other Qualifying Action Across Europe
In other qualifying action, Northern Ireland ended their Group A campaign with a 1-0 win over Luxembourg at Windsor Park. The match's only goal came from the penalty spot in the 44th minute, scored by Jamie Donley on his first competitive international start.
The Czech Republic delivered another impressive performance, dismantling Gibraltar 6-0 with five goals coming in a dominant first half. David Doudera, Tomas Chory, Vladimir Coufal, Adam Karabec, and captain Tomas Soucek all scored before the break, with Robin Hranac adding another after the restart.
Germany's comprehensive victory marks a significant turnaround for a team that suffered early exits in the last two World Cup tournaments. Their qualification, alongside the Netherlands', sets the stage for what promises to be an intriguing build-up to the 2026 World Cup.
