Germany Secures Key Win but Raises Concerns Ahead of Final Qualifier

Germany, the four-time world champions, navigated an uneasy evening on Friday as a brace from Nick Woltemade proved crucial in their 2-0 victory over Luxembourg. While the win is vital for their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup, the overall performance was disjointed, sluggish, and lacked the necessary cohesion, particularly during the first half.

With this victory, Germany heads into their final group match as the favorite to secure a spot in North America next year. They are currently level on points with Slovakia at 12, meaning a win or draw will guarantee their qualification for the prestigious tournament.

After a shaky and goalless first half, Coach Julian Nagelsmann was questioned about how he motivated his players to improve in the second half. He candidly responded, saying, “I found myself reflecting on how to energize our approach at halftime. I sensed that the team struggles with intensity. Everyone desires success. I engaged the players and reiterated key points, maintaining our focus on strategy. I also made it clear that I wouldn’t raise my voice. Our tactical execution improved in the second half, which was essential for our victory.”

Nagelsmann highlighted Luxembourg’s challenge, particularly in the initial 30 minutes, stating, “They posed significant difficulties for us, more than we anticipated. We are under pressure within the group, and ultimately, we must win matches. Building self-belief is crucial, and our only focus now should be on winning on Monday. Then we can discuss our future plans.”

Leroy Sane played a pivotal role in the match, providing the assist for Woltemade’s opening goal early in the second half before setting up Ridle Baku, who assisted Woltemade for his second goal. After the game, Nagelsmann praised Sane, saying, “He made two key contributions that led to our goals. He had some good moments in the first half and ultimately played a significant role in our success.”

Sane expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by Nagelsmann, stating, “I’m pleased to have repaid Julian’s confidence in me. We’ve had productive discussions. He understands my mindset. That’s just how football operates. My focus is on my own performance, with the World Cup as my primary goal.”

Prior to the match, Nagelsmann issued a clear message to Sane, noting, “If we had more options in his position, it would heighten the competition for him. He understands that opportunities with the national team are limited. I’ve communicated this to him directly. He possesses the qualities we need, which is why he has this opportunity. His recent performances have improved significantly, but he still has room for further development—both here and at his club.”

As Germany prepares for their critical match against Slovakia on November 17, the players must address their shortcomings. There is little room for error, as this is a must-win game to secure direct qualification for next year’s World Cup, although a draw would also suffice.