With a goal-scoring spectacle: Germany blasts its way to the World Cup

A goal-scoring frenzy in America! A transformed German national team has shown all its critics and secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup with an unexpected football party.

17 November 2025

From: dpa/fop

Despite much criticism, the German national team (DFB-Elf) won their last group match against Slovakia in Leipzig in an impressive 6-0 victory, thus defending their first place in Group A, which is necessary for direct qualification.

Once again, Nick Woltemade opened the scoring in the 18th minute. Serge Gnabry (29th minute) and the liberated Leroy Sané, who scored twice (36th and 41st minutes), then put the game firmly in hand against a helpless Slovakian side before halftime. After the break, in front of 40.120 spectators, Ridle Baku (67th minute) and DFB debutant Assan Ouedraogo (79th minute) added to the tally, making it 6-0.

The German national team is marching towards the World Cup with renewed strength. © ANSA / FILIP SINGER

Slovakia, finishing second in their group, will now have to compete in the playoffs. Italy will also participate in the two-legged knockout round in March. The Azzurri stumbled to a 1-4 thrashing against Norway on Sunday in their final qualifying match..

The playoff pairings will be drawn this Thursday, while the World Cup group draw will take place on December 5th in Washington.

The Netherlands also has the ticket

Then, among other things, it will be determined who the three Dutch opponents will be in the preliminary round of the tournament from June 11 to July 19 in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The Netherlands secured their ticket as expected. Coach Ronald Koeman's team easily defeated Lithuania 4-0 in their final qualifying match, thus eliminating any remaining theoretical doubts. Tijjani Reijnders (16th minute), Cody Gakpo (58th), Xavi Simons (60th), and Donyell Malen (62nd) scored the goals for the Netherlands.

Despite a flattering 3-2 victory against underdogs Malta, Poland, their closest pursuers, must still enter the playoffs. Robert Lewandowski (32'), Pawel Wszolek (59'), and Piotr Zielinski (85') scored for Poland, a team that would have been virtually impossible to catch even with a Dutch win. Irvin Cardona (36') and Teddy Teuma (68', penalty) scored for Malta.