Germany off to nightmare start in World Cup qualifiers | OneFootball

Germany’s World Cup qualifying campaign could hardly have begun in more disastrous fashion. In Bratislava, Julian Nagelsmann’s side were outthought, outplayed, and beaten 2-0 by a spirited Slovakia in their opening fixture.

The Germans saw plenty of the ball but did little with it. Wasteful in attack and shaky at the back, they never really looked in control. Slovakia, on the other hand, were well-drilled, confident, and more than up for the fight.

The breakthrough came just before half-time. Middlesbrough's summer signing Dávid Strelec surged down the left and squared for David Hancko, who lashed in the opener with a crisp first-time strike.

After the break, Leon Goretzka went close, only to be denied by a sharp stop from Martin Dúbravka. Moments later, Strelec stole the show again - brushing past Antonio Rüdiger and firing home Slovakia’s second to send the home crowd wild.

From that point, Germany never looked like finding a way back. Nagelsmann shuffled his pack, but the Mannschaft were predictable, reliant on set pieces, and lacked any real spark.

For Slovakia, it’s a night to savour. For Germany, it’s an early stumble that leaves their qualifying campaign under pressure before it’s even got going.