Back to the drawing board for Germany after shock Slovakia loss
PARIS: Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who this week had set the goal of winning the 2026 World Cup, is rushing back to the drawing board following Thursday’s shock 2-0 loss against hosts Slovakia in their opening qualifier.
Nagelsmann’s team, which included big Premier League transfers Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade, were completely toothless in attack and error-prone at the back while lacking any game plan as the Slovaks dismantled them to inflict a first-ever away defeat on Germany in a World Cup qualifier thanks to goals from David Hancko and David Strelec in Bratislava.
“That was just not good enough from every one of us,” Germany captain Joshua Kimmich said of their third consecutive defeat.
The Germans also lost to Portugal and France in the Nations League in June. Their next World Cup qualifier is at home to Northern Ireland in Cologne on Sunday in Group ‘A’, which also includes Luxembourg.
“We have a chance to do things better in three days,” Kimmich said. “We have talked about the World Cup before this match but we first have to qualify. Because with performances such as this it won’t work with the qualification.”
The four-time world champions last won the World Cup in 2014 and have since failed to make any impact internationally. They were eliminated in the group stage at the last two World Cups.
Nagelsmann, who led Germany to the quarter-finals on home soil at Euro 2024, had said on Wednesday that setting high goals and wanting to win next year’s World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, was a sign that the team was in good health.
After Thursday’s bitter defeat, however, Germany fans are demanding more urgency and aggression from their team as well as immediate changes, including to their vulnerable backline with centre back Antonio Ruediger beaten for both Slovakia’s goals.
It will also be key for Nagelsmann to find a playmaker, ready to take on the responsibility of implementing a clear game plan, with Germany badly missing a connection between defence and attack.
A visibly frustrated Nagelsmann told Germany’s ARD network his players were not lacking in quality, but in passion against their opponents, who are ranked 52nd in the world.
“With emotion, our opponent was simply miles ahead of us from the first to the last minute, that’s a fact. And then, shockingly, they come out on top.
“If you take our history in the past 10 or so years, it’s not like we’re brimming with confidence and can play at 80 percent. It was no different at the Qatar World Cup.
“We haven’t had a great history in recent years and we should have realised that if we want to go to the World Cup and play a good role. Today, we were miles away.
“I do believe that the players now feel what is needed [on Sunday]. The entire team must carry that energy. If we are more energetic then we will have a better game on Sunday,” said Nagelsmann.
Atletico Madrid’s Hancko burst untracked into the penalty box to fire Slovakia into the lead just before half-time against Germany.
David Strelec, who has just signed for Middlesbrough in the English Championship, then made it two with a brilliant strike high into the top corner 10 minutes into the second half.
The result gives Slovakia a dream start in Group ‘A’ as they attempt to qualify for a first World Cup since 2010.
Only the group winners qualify directly for the 48-team finals in North America.
Northern Ireland won 3-1 in Luxembourg, with Jamie Reid, Shea Charles and Justin Devenny scoring their goals.
The home side had gone in on level terms at the break thanks to an Aiman Dardari equaliser, but Seid Korac’s second-half red card ended their hopes of taking anything from the contest.
SPAIN CRUISE
European champions Spain, who lost June’s Nations League final on penalties to Portugal, had few problems against Bulgaria and eased to a 3-0 win in Sofia in both teams’ opening Group ‘E’ game.
Mikel Oyarzabal produced an expert finish from a Martin Zubimendi pass to open the scoring inside five minutes, and Marc Cucurella fired in a superb second goal on the half-hour.
Lamine Yamal then set up Mikel Merino for the third goal on 38 minutes, and there was no further scoring.
“We’re happy but we have to keep taking steps forward,” said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente.
Spain’s next game is away to Turkey, who staved off a Georgia comeback to win 3-2 in Tbilisi.
Mert Muldur’s early opener was followed by two goals either side of half-time by Kerem Akturkoglu, and Turkey appeared to be cruising.
However, Zuriko Davitashvili pulled one back and the visitors had Baris Alper Yilmaz sent off.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia then made it 3-2 deep in stoppage time, but Turkey held on for the victory.
PERFECT START SPOILED
Matty Cash scored to salvage a 1-1 draw for Poland which ended the Netherlands’ perfect start to Group ‘G’.
Denzel Dumfries’ header at a corner had put the Netherlands on course for a third win from three games without conceding a goal, but Cash leveled the score for Poland with a fierce shot from the edge of the penalty area in the 80th minute.
Not all teams have started their World Cup qualifying at the same time because of Nations League commitments earlier this year.
Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski returned to action as Poland’s captain after briefly leaving the national team during a dispute with ex-coach Michal Probierz in June.
The Dutch still the top the group on seven points — they lead Poland and Finland on goal difference, and also boast a game in hand.
Lithuania scored a penalty deep in injury time to draw 1-1 with Malta in the same group.
BELGIUM WIN
Belgium walloped minnows Liechtenstein 6-0 away in Group ‘J’, with Maxim De Cuyper opening the scoring. Youri Tielemans netted twice including a penalty, while Arthur Theate, Kevin De Bruyne and Malick Fofana also struck.
That result leaves Belgium three points behind group leaders Wales with two games in hand. Craig Bellamy’s side won 1-0 in Kazakhstan thanks to a Kieffer Moore goal.
Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2025