Woltemade saved the fans’ nerves, but…

Only twice in history has Germany failed to play at a FIFA World Cup, and neither time was it due to a lack of skill from their players. The German team, the “Panzers,” did not participate in Uruguay in 1930 simply because FIFA never sent them an invitation, as there were no qualifiers for the inaugural World Cup.

The second time was in 1950 in Brazil, when Germany suffered the consequences of being on the losing side of World War II. Since then, Germany has walked through qualification campaigns, with their placements never in question. However, the situation is somewhat different now.

Germany defeated Luxembourg 2-0 away (0-0 at halftime), while Slovakia triumphed over Northern Ireland 1-0 at home (0-0) in the penultimate round of World Cup qualifiers. This means that, one round before the end, both teams have 12 points, and on Monday (22:45) they will face each other in a direct match for a World Cup spot. In Leipzig, Germany will only need a draw due to a better goal difference, while Slovakia will be chasing a victory. Naturally, whoever finishes second in the group will go to the playoffs, where they will have to win two knockout matches on March 26 and 31 next year.

Germany struggled in the first half in Luxembourg, and the modest hosts once again showed that they are an increasingly tough opponent for strong national teams. Then, the fans of the four-time world champions witnessed the full power of the player who, by all indications, will be their main attacking star for the next decade.

Nick Woltemade has gone in just 12 months from a substitute at Stuttgart to one of the Bundesliga’s best forwards and Germany’s top striker. He scored twice in the 49th and 69th minutes, assisted by Leroy Sane and Ridle Baku. The goals are HERE and HERE.

Julian Nagelsmann’s team did their part, but Slovakia also made sure not to make things easy for the heavy favorites. Twice, a player who could have been the match winner in last year’s Euro round of 16 against England scored in the second half from a set piece, but both goals were disallowed after several minutes of VAR checks.

Once, a Slovak player was judged to have blocked the Northern Ireland goalkeeper, and the second time, a home player touched the ball with his hand, though it appeared more like shoulder contact.

Still, it seemed as if Slovakia was rewarded for their effort and overall excellent performance. Once again, Francesco Calzona’s team scored from a set piece. Goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell flailed in vain, the ball reached Tomas Bobcek, and the Lechia Gdansk center-forward scored his first goal for the national team on his debut. The goal is HERE!

An incredible moment for the player born in 2001. Bobcek has been tearing up the Ekstraklasa this season, scoring nine goals in 14 matches in Poland’s top division, and he could now also be a key factor in the decisive match in Leipzig.

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS - EUROPE

Friday

Finland - Malta 0-1 (0-0)

/Grech 81/

Croatia - Faroe I. 3-1 (1-1)

/Gvardiol 23, Musa 57, Vlasic 70 - David Turi 16/

Gibraltar - Montenegro 1-2 (1-2)

/Jessop 20 - Adzic 33, Krstovic 42 pen/

Poland - Netherlands 1-1 (1-0)

/Kaminski 43 - Depay 47/

Slovakia - N. Ireland 1-0 (0-0)

/Bobcek 90+1/

Luxembourg - Germany 0-2 (0-0)

/Woltemade 49, 69/