06/09/2025

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SATURDAY | SEPT 6, 2025

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Achtung! Germany fall to shock 2-0 defeat to Slovakia in 2026 World Cup qualifying opener G ERMANY fell to a shock 2-0 defeat against Slovakia in their World Cup qualifying opener in Bratislava yester day, their first ever away loss in a quali Nagelsmann and Germany just under a year out from next year’s tournament. Credited with improving Germany after a decade of poor performances at major tournaments, Nagelsmann was bullish pre match, speaking of his “healthy desire to win the World Cup”.

Germany’s Florian Wirtz (left) and Slovakia’s Ondrej Duda vie for the ball during their 2026 World Cup qualifying match. – AFPPIC

fier for the tournament. Ranked 52 in the world, Slovakia frequently carved up their heavily fancied opponents and took the lead after 42 minutes through David Hancko. Slovakia doubled their lead on 55 minutes when David Strelec dribbled in from the right to blast past a flat-footed Antonio Rudiger. Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann slammed his side’s “lack of emotion”, telling Germany’s ARD network his players were not lacking in quality, but in passion against their opponents. “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%. 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.” Germany captain Joshua Kimmich warned: “If we perform like we did today, we’ll definitely not qualify (for the World Cup). Everyone has to know what’s at stake.” Germany defender Jonathan Tah said his side were poorer “in all phases” of the match. “We had very, very little control of the game, and that’s why we deserved to lose today. That can’t be denied. It was a very, very weak game from us today. “There was something missing today, something beyond fatigue. It wasn’t something they did which surprised us – we need to take a look at ourselves and do better in the next game.” The loss is Germany’s third in a row and just their fourth in total after defeats to Portugal in 1985, England in 2001 and North Macedonia in 2021. The result will turn up the heat on

Already thin up front without Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala and Tim Kleindienst, Germany were hit with another injury withdrawal just before kickoff, with starting striker Niclas Fuellkrug ruled out with a calf injury. Nick Woltemade was named in Fuellkrug’s place up front, just days after his big-money move to Newcastle United. “Apart from 2-3 injured players, these are the best quality players we have in Germany. Maybe next time we have to call up players with less quality but who will give everything on the pitch,” an irate Nigelman added. “I trust my players, but being simply a better player than the opponent is not enough if you don’t show willingness and desire,” the former Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim manager ranted. The visitors were overrun in the first half, Leo Sauer repeatedly running into acres of space behind the sluggish German centrebacks. Slovakia failed to convert their chances and looked set to enter half-time unrewarded until Hancko blasted the hosts in front. The hosts picked Florian Wirtz’s pocket in midfield and went on the attack, Hancko finding Strelec down the left. Strelec cut back for Hancko who shed the lethargic Rudiger and cut a left-footed finish past a helpless Oliver Baumann. Moments after half-time, Germany’s Leon Goretzka shot directly at Slovakia goalie Martin Dubravka when one-on-one with the Burnley shot-stopper. Things returned to normal service afterwards however and Slovakia got a second 10 minutes into the second period when Strelec danced his way down the right and smashed the ball home past Rudiger. The Germans dominated possession but created few chances in attack and will need to improve quickly ahead of Monday’s next qualifier at home in Cologne against Northern Ireland. – AFP/Reuters/Agencies

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