Germany 6-0 Slovakia: Sane scored twice, Wirtz had 2 assists
Germany led 4-0 after 41 minutes at Red Bull Arena, controlled the game with 69% possession, xG 3.29; defeated Slovakia 6-0 to officially win a ticket to the 2026 World Cup as the top of Group A.
Germany defeated Slovakia 6-0 at Red Bull Arena, thereby officially qualifying for the 2026 World Cup as the top team in Group A. Leroy Sane scored twice in 5 minutes, Florian Wirtz assisted 2 goals, and the home team ended the first half with a 4-0 advantage and a dominant performance from ball control to quality of chances.
Decisive point: Wirtz – Sane decide early
Germany set the tone for the game from the start. In the 18th minute, Joshua Kimmich crossed the ball accurately for Nick Woltemade to head home from close range to open the scoring. In the 29th minute, Leon Goretzka tore apart the Slovakian defense with a through ball, putting Serge Gnabry in a one-on-one position to make it 2-0.
The most explosive moment came between the 36th and 41st minutes: Sane scored two goals in quick succession after passes from Wirtz. For the third goal, Sane beat the offside trap and shot diagonally; the fourth came after Woltemade fought fiercely, the ball reaching Wirtz before Sane tapped the ball into the net from close range.
Emotional development
Germany ended the first 45 minutes effectively: 4-0, 69% possession, 92% accurate passes, 11 shots all in the box and xG 3.29 (Slovakia only achieved 0.36). The first half almost ended the hope for the away team, who were only waiting for a play-off spot.
After the break, Germany made personnel adjustments: Felix Nmecha replaced Pavlovic; for Slovakia, Satka and Schranz replaced Duda and Gyomber. In the 49th minute, the home team was awarded an indirect free kick in the penalty area after goalkeeper Dubravka's error in catching the ball from a back pass, but Sane could not take advantage of the dense defense.
Germany slowed down but remained in control, scoring their fifth goal in the 67th minute: Woltemade combined with Gnabry before Ridle Baku – who had just replaced Kimmich – finished decisively. Substitutions continued (Malick Thiaw, Nathaniel Brown for Germany; Bobcek for Strelec for Slovakia) and in the 79th minute, Assan Ouedraogo sealed a 6-0 win.
Tactical angle: Control rhythm, through-line passing and Wirtz explosion point
The performance was marked by discipline and speed. Germany set the tempo from the second line: a wide play along the Kimmich-Woltemade axis opened the scoring, then Goretzka’s through ball found Gnabry. With Slovakia’s defence deep, Wirtz became the explosive point in the final third with two successive assists, while Sane punished space behind by beating the offside trap and running across goal.
After the break, Germany switched to a safe mode of control, prioritizing maintaining structure and testing personnel but still being sharp enough to increase the gap, before closing it out with Ouedraogo's strike.
Numbers speak for themselves.
| Index | Value |
|---|---|
| Score | Germany 6-0 Slovakia |
| Ball control (full match) | Germany 69% |
| Accurate pass | Germany 92% |
| Number of shots | Germany 11 (all in the box) |
| xG | Germany 3.29 – Slovakia 0.36 |
| Control the ball in the second half | Germany 75% |
Impact on the race
The 6-star victory officially brought coach Julian Nagelsmann's team to the 2026 World Cup as the top team in Group A. Slovakia suffered a heavy defeat, and according to the current situation, only hopes of competing for a play-off spot remain.
Notable situations
- 18': Kimmich crosses the ball, Woltemade heads it 1-0.
- 29': Goretzka passes the ball, Gnabry faces it, 2-0.
- 36' and 41': Sane scored twice after 2 assists from Wirtz, 4-0.
- 49': Germany takes an indirect free kick in the penalty area after a foul on Dubravka's pass back; Sane does not score.
- 67': Woltemade - Gnabry combined, Baku scored 5-0.
- 79': Ouedraogo scores 6-0.
Final score: Germany 6-0 Slovakia
Scored: Woltemade 18', Gnabry 29', Sane 36' 41', Baku 67', Ouedraogo 79'.
