Germany run riot against Slovakia to book World Cup spot | OneFootball

Slovakia were looking to make lightning strike twice and overcome Germany to secure their place at next summer's World Cup. Though the hosts started like a side ready to answer their critics. 

Germany started fast and well. Florian Wirtz in particular was at the heart of possession, and lifted a neat ball into Serge Gnabry early on, though the Bayern forward's header looped straight up to the sky and into the arms of Martin Dubravka. 

After an opening period full of German possession, it would be the hosts who took the lead in Leipzig after 19 minutes. 

Recycling a Wirtz corner, Nationalelf captain Joshua Kimmich lifted an inviting cross into the box that was met by Nick Woltemade, who headed home for his third goal in two matches. And after Michal Duris forced a save out of Oliver Baumann with Slovakia aiming to respond, Germany would move straight back into the ascendancy. 

Gnabry should have doubled the lead after being sent through on goal by goalscorer Woltemade. However, he made amends within moments after a beautiful team move ended with the 30-year-old bearing down one-on-one against Dubravka, before he powered home with relative ease.

Leroy Sane, who returned to the fold this international break, added a third for Germany - slotting home after meeting a delicious 50-yard ball from Wirtz. And the pair would combine again in the 41st minute, with another fantastic ball from the young Liverpool midfielder, who himself was looking to rise to the occasion after a difficult start to the season.

After a much slower opening to the second half, it would be Leipzig full-back, and substitute Ridle Baku, who added a simply fantastic fifth for the hosts, as he powered home from inside the box after a cutting team move. 

And with RB Leipzig youngster Assan Ouedraogo coming on as a second-half substitute, Germany would add a sixth in the 79th minute with a lovely guided finish for his first goal for the senior team, just a minute and 42 seconds into his debut. 

Slovakia would be condemned to the play-offs, looking for a backdoor route into next summer's competition. Germany, though, would put what has been an underwhelming qualifying campaign behind them.

The job was done, and it would be done in style in Leipzig thanks to a 6-0 victory - sparking a chorus of Völlin Losgelöst that reached decibels not heard since the 2024 European Championships.