Mein Gott! Germany Falls to Slovakia in World Cup Qualifying | OneFootball

Thursday, September 4 Results

Slovakia 2 – 0 Germany

Národny Futbalovy Stadión, Bratislava, SlovakiaThis was not the most auspicious start to Germany’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

Slovakia leapt onto the front foot from the opening whistle, pressing the visitors hard. Leo Sauer was a menace to the German defense in the first half, and unlucky to have not found the net. Kudos to Jonathan Tah of Germany whose trailing leg saved a goal. Germany weren’t exactly toothless, but with the exception of Maxilimian Mittelstädt could not help firing straight at goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka. Slovakia deservedly took the lead on the counter at ‘42; Dávid Hancko slotting it home after David Strelec delivered a dime to the top of the box.

Leon Goretzka should have equalized for the visitors moments into the second half, but feel victim to the German curse of shooting straight at the keeper. Slovakia doubled their lead when Strelec feinted and danced around Antonio Rüdiger before hitting an absolute banger into the upper corner. Germany tried but couldn’t produce any credible threats, and Slovakia reveled in their first competitive win over Germany in nearly two decades.

But this was not the only shock result from Thursday’s games.

Netherlands 1 – 1 Poland

The Netherlands drew a stubborn Poland team at Feyenoord Stadium. The Poles conceded nearly 74% possession to Oranje and let them throw whatever they could at goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski, who made four saves. The Dutch were up for most of the game from Denzel Dumfries’ 25th minute goal. Then Matty Cash hit the equalizer in the 80th minute. This result puts Netherlands, Poland and Finland level in Group I with seven points apiece (though the Dutch have a game in hand).

Lithuania 1 – 1 Malta

Malta nearly had a new national hero. Alexander Satariano converted a simple tap-in from Adam Overend’s brilliant pass in the 83rd minute to give the visitors the lead. All they had to do was hold on to give Malta its first win since Nov. 14, 2024. Alas, twas not to be.

The game was a chippy affair, with 9 yellow and 2 red cards issued, so when defender Zach Muscat put an elbow into a Lithuanian player’s gut during a corner kick and conceded a penalty kick, it wasn’t much of a surprise. Gvidas Gineitis converted from the spot to level the score at one apiece, which is how it ended.

Other Results

Much like Jack Kerouac, It was good to be on the road for the remaining teams. No wins for the hosts.