Germany's football team is facing intense scrutiny after a shocking 2-0 defeat to Slovakia in their World Cup 2026 qualifier. This loss marks their first-ever away defeat in World Cup qualifying history, leaving fans and pundits alike questioning the team's form and future prospects.
Nagelsmann Promises Changes After Upset
Under-fire coach Julian Nagelsmann has vowed to make significant changes to the squad for their upcoming crucial qualifier against Northern Ireland. He slammed the team's attitude after the Slovakia defeat, stating they lacked emotion and were "miles away" from a good performance. Captain Joshua Kimmich echoed this sentiment, warning that their current performance level would certainly prevent them from qualifying for the World Cup.
What Went Wrong Against Slovakia?
Germany struggled to break down a well-organized Slovakian side. David Hancko opened the scoring just before half-time with a well-placed shot, and David Strelec added a second with a stunning strike into the top corner. Liverpool's Florian Wirtz and Newcastle's Nick Woltemade were unable to spark the German attack, leaving Nagelsmann with much to ponder.
Nagelsmann acknowledged the need for a complete overhaul in terms of personnel. While he won't replace all 10 outfield players, he emphasized that the team needs to deliver a far better performance than they did against Slovakia. The pressure is on to secure a victory against Northern Ireland and get their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track.
Despite the recent setback, Germany has shown improvement under Nagelsmann, following a disappointing decade. Can they overcome this hurdle and secure their place in the World Cup 2026?
World Cup Qualifying: Other Results
- Spain defeated Bulgaria 3-0.
- Poland drew 1-1 with the Netherlands.
- Belgium cruised to a 6-0 victory over Liechtenstein.