Slovakia 2-0 Germany (4 Sep, 2025) Game Analysis
Germany suffered a first-ever away defeat in a World Cup qualifier after they were stunned 2-0 by Slovakia to kick start Group A in Bratislava.
The Germans had never lost a World Cup qualifier away from home in 52 previous matches before what was a disappointing evening in their first qualifier for next year’s finals and they slipped to just their fourth loss overall from 104 qualifying games.
It also marked Germany’s first three-game competitive losing streak in their 117-year history.
German boss Julian Nagelsmann set his eyes on a fifth World Cup title in the build-up to the contest but their campaign got off to the worst possible start when Dávid Hancko struck before the half-time interval to put Slovakia on course for a famous victory.
Germany continued to disappoint in the second period and underdogs Slovakia could smell victory and David Strelec’s strike was enough to seal the win and condemn Germany to a third-straight defeat to leave them bottom of the group.
The home side started bright and were first to fire a warning shot at the favourites when Leo Sauer saw his close-range effort denied by Oliver Baumann.
Germany’s first chance of the game fell to Maximilian Mittelstädt, who sent a powerful strike towards goal but the diving Martin Dúbravka diverted the ball behind.
Slovakia’s tails were up and they were handed an opening when Antonio Rüdiger misread a pass and allowed Sauer to get through on goal but he saw his shot blocked by Jonathan Tah, moments after Leon Goretzka had an effort saved at the other end.
Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz could have broken the deadlock in outstanding fashion after he showed neat and tidy footwork to open up an opportunity for himself but Dubravka got down well to deny what would have been a quality goal.
Sauer was proving to be a menace down the left-hand side and he sent a cross into Strelec, who lashed a shot wide in front of goal.
Slovakia took a deserved lead three minutes before the break as Strelec made a run and picked out Hancko, who sent a first-time effort straight into the bottom-left corner.
New Newcastle signing Nick Woltemade endured a frustrated evening and was limited to scraps up the top end of the pitch which was compounded by a below-par header which was sent wide of the target.
Slovakia’s night got even better when they doubled their advantage in the 55th minute after Strelec weaved his way into the area and curled his finish past the helpless Baumann and into the top corner.
Germany were two goals down but were doing nothing in the way of threatening the Slovakia goal as time ticked into the final 10 minutes.
The visitors looked their most dangerous in stoppage-time when it was seemingly too late — Stanislav Lobotka nearly diverted David Raum’s cross into his own goal but Dubravka was on hand to keep the clean sheet intact.
Information from PA and ESPN Research was used in this report.