Germany Secures Hard-Fought Victory Over Luxembourg

Luxembourg aimed to disrupt Germany’s flow, creating more scoring opportunities during a chaotic first half where the visitors struggled to find their rhythm in the attacking third. Nagelsmann’s players appeared taken aback by Luxembourg’s speed and physicality, particularly in midfield, where the home side aggressively challenged and frequently interrupted German build-up play with tactical fouls high up the pitch. The first warning came after just 20 minutes when Augsburg’s Michel Dardari made a powerful run inside, unleashing a low shot that narrowly missed the far post, leaving goalkeeper Oliver Baumann relieved.

In contrast, Germany exhibited a passive and disjointed performance. Their passing was erratic, and they exuded a concerning lack of confidence when in possession. Baumann was called into action twice more as Luxembourg’s attack advanced with determination. Meanwhile, Germany struggled to close down space and appeared to lag behind every loose ball, fortunate not to be trailing at halftime.

Germany broke the deadlock through Woltemade’s individual brilliance. Aleksandar Pavlovic spotted a gap and delivered an exquisite pass that Leroy Sane anticipated perfectly. Sane cushioned the ball with a superb first touch before accelerating past his marker. Instead of attempting a shot, he selflessly squared the ball to Woltemade, who finished clinically from close range. This efficient move starkly contrasted with Germany’s earlier struggles.

Germany’s control of the match only strengthened after the hour mark, as Luxembourg’s intensity began to diminish. However, the match remained precarious until Woltemade secured the second goal in the 69th minute. The young forward, who previously scored the decisive goal against Northern Ireland in the prior qualifier, found himself in the perfect position again and doubled Germany’s lead, calming their nerves.

While a 2-0 victory may suggest a comfortable evening for Germany, the reality was quite different. Luxembourg pushed them to their limits, remaining competitive until Woltemade’s second goal. Nevertheless, Nagelsmann is pleased as Germany stays on track to secure direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup. They are set to host Slovakia next Monday, and a victory in that match will be crucial for clinching the top spot in Group A. However, it is important to remember that Germany suffered a defeat to Slovakia in Bratislava, and without improvements, they may find themselves facing a playoff.

Woltemade’s performance marked his first international brace, and on a night when Germany struggled for creativity, his composure stood out. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe will likely be impressed by his display, as Woltemade now sets his sights on scoring at next summer’s tournament.

Conversely, Florian Wirtz, one of Germany’s prominent stars, faced another challenging evening. The playmaker, currently under scrutiny at Liverpool due to a lackluster start in the Premier League, failed to quell his critics. Operating from the left, he often shifted inside in search of space but made little impact on the game. Despite David Raum’s frequent overlaps to support him offensively, Wirtz appeared out of sync. The match demanded control and creativity, yet the 22-year-old remained on the fringes. With Liverpool set to face Nottingham Forest following the international break, Arne Slot may have to make difficult decisions regarding Wirtz’s position in the starting lineup if he does not demonstrate improvement in the final group match against Slovakia.