Nick Woltemade continued his scoring streak, giving Germany the lead against Slovakia in Leipzig. The Newcastle striker had already netted twice in the previous match against Luxembourg, and his powerful header from Joshua Kimmich’s cross put Julian Nagelsmann’s team in a strong position from the start.

Serge Gnabry quickly followed up, doubling Germany’s advantage with a precise finish into the corner after receiving a perfectly timed pass from Leon Goretzka. The early dominance from the hosts left Slovakia struggling to respond, as Germany showcased their attacking fluency.

Leroy Sane then capitalized on a sublime ball from Florian Wirtz, slotting the ball past the goalkeeper to extend the lead further. Just before the break, the duo combined again, with Sane converting Goretzka’s cross to make it 4-0, confirming Germany’s control heading into halftime.

Second-half dominance and debut goals

The second half saw Germany maintain their composure, though the intensity eased compared to the first period. Ridle Baku added the fifth goal, marking his first strike for the national team since 2021. The goal came after Gnabry moved across, providing the perfect opportunity for Baku to fire home a low, precise shot.

Assan Ouedraogo made an immediate impact on his international debut, scoring Germany’s sixth just two minutes after entering the pitch. He placed the ball into the bottom corner with confidence, adding another milestone to a memorable night for the hosts.

Germany’s defense remained solid throughout, keeping a fourth consecutive clean sheet. The combination of attacking prowess and defensive stability ensured their automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Slovakia’s play-off fate

Slovakia’s hopes of finishing top of Group A ended in disappointment. Their best chance came early when David Duris found the net, only for Oliver Baumann to make a crucial save from close range, denying any momentum shift.

Despite their efforts, Slovakia struggled against Germany’s high defensive line and cohesive attacking moves. The heavy defeat confirmed that they must now attempt to qualify through the playoffs, ending their direct route to the tournament.

Germany’s emphatic victory underlined their strength and readiness ahead of the next World Cup, while Slovakia faces the challenge of regrouping for a crucial playoff campaign.