Germany's World Cup Dream Rolls On: A Six-Goal Statement Against Slovakia
17 November 2025
Match Report
Germany sealed their World Cup qualification for the 21st time in their history, with a commanding 6-0 victory over Slovakia in Leipzig, wrapping up Europe’s qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The scorers were Nick Volltimade (18'), Serge Gnabry (29'), Leroy Sane (36' and 41'), Ridle Baku (67'), and Asan Odarogo (79').
With this result, Germany topped Group 1 on 15 points, while Slovakia finished on 12 in second place, heading into the playoff phase.
Germany threatened early in the match, carrying the atmosphere of a big occasion under the gaze of former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp and ex-Bayern Munich forward Mario Gómez, as Gnabry met a cross in the box and forced a save from the Slovakia keeper.
Kimmich showed early initiative on the right in the 15th minute, delivering a cross that Vertz met in the box, though the shot slipped over the bar.
Germany opened the scoring in the 18th minute when a right-sided cross from Kimmich found Volltimade unmarked in the area, who headed home.
Slovakia created a rare moment of danger in the 21st minute, with a shot from inside the box that was halted by Boman’s intervention and cleared for a corner.
From that corner, the Germans cleared the ball but Slovakia continued to press; a shot from the edge of the area narrowly missed the target.
Germany answered in the 22nd minute as Sane fed Gnabry inside the box, but the effort went wide of the post.
Slovakia’s hopes were further dented in the 24th when Pero went off injured and was replaced by Rego, disrupting their rhythm momentarily.
Gnabry then produced a moment of magic in the 25th, receiving a through ball and racing into the box, his shot saved by Dubravka but setting the tone for Germany’s ruthless spell.
The second goal arrived in the 29th minute as Gnabry delivered a smart through ball to Volltimade, who finished clinically past the keeper.
By halftime, Germany had stretched the advantage to four goals, with precision finishing and sustained pressure exposing Slovakia’s defensive gaps.
In the second half, Slovakia made changes, and Germany continued to push, adding a fifth through a composed finish from Odarogo after a clever buildup.
Late in the game, Odarogo sealed the scoring with a cool finish from inside the box, completing the six-goal rout and the Germans’ campaign in style.
Substitute depth and a high-pressing tactical approach characterized Germany’s display, signaling confidence and depth for Nagelsmann as the team looks ahead to the World Cup finals. Slovakia, meanwhile, will prepare for the playoff route to the tournament.
Final whistle. Germany celebrate a comprehensive victory that secures their place in the 2026 World Cup and signals their intent to challenge for the trophy in a tournament that will spread across three venues in North America.
Punchline time: If football ever ran for president, Germany just won the election with a six-goal landslide—and Slovakia didn’t even get a vote. punchline: This scoreline is proof that even a great defense needs a day off when the offense is in MOTIVATION mode. punchline: In football, six is a crowd; in this case, it was a chorus.
