Slovakia can deprive the German national soccer team of direct participation in the World Cup with a win in the final World Cup qualifier. Slovaks believe in their own strength.
Francesco Calzona is an experienced coach and he didn’t allow himself to be put off by a reporter’s somewhat strange question before Slovakia’s game against Germany. The Italian was asked which he would prefer, important victories or a rendezvous with a beautiful woman? “I’d rather win games like this”said the Slovakian coach. An answer that not only Ms Calzona would have been happy to hear, but also the Slovakian football fans.
Sports show, November 17th, 2025 8:44 p.m
The mood around the national team is definitely a bit excited, ahead of the final group game in the World Cup qualification on Monday (November 17th, 2025, 8:45 p.m., live in the audio stream) in Leipzig against Germany, which could actually become the “final” for the direct World Cup ticket: a draw is enough for the DFB team with the same points because of the better goal difference. But if the Slovaks, who surprised the DFB team with their 2-0 defeat in the first leg, win, they would qualify directly as group winners.
Late winning goal against Northern Ireland – Slovakia believes in participating in the World Cup
The late winning goal against Northern Ireland in stoppage time, which at least secured the Slovaks’ place in the playoffs, has once again strengthened the faith in Slovakia. Before the showdown against Germany, the tabloid “Novy Cas” headlined: “Fight for everything.”
It would be only the second World Cup participation for the country with just five and a half million inhabitants after 2010, when the Slovaks sent the then defending champions and four-time world champions Italy home on their way to the round of 16. At the European Championship last summer, only a few seconds were missing from the next big coup against England, only Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick goal in stoppage time saved the favorites from elimination.
Slovakia coach Calzona: “We shouldn’t be afraid”
Calzona was already on the Slovakian bench at the European Championships. The Italian coach, who previously worked primarily as an assistant coach at clubs in Serie A, could lead the Slovaks to a major tournament for the second time in a row. Calzona also demonstrated self-confidence before the guest appearance with the four-time world champions: “I keep telling my players that we will win our games”said Calzona, emphasizing: “We can’t be afraid of them. We have to play like we always do!”
In the World Cup qualification, the Slovaks were able to rely primarily on their well-adjusted defense, with David Hancko (Atletico) and captain Milan Skriniar (Fenerbahce) in defense and Stanislav Lobotka (Naples) as the boss in central midfield. Slovakia conceded the only two goals in a 2-0 defeat against Northern Ireland. But they also have dangerous options on the offensive, as seen in the success against Northern Ireland, when substitute Tomas Bobcek scored the winner. It was the Lechia Gdansk striker’s debut goal.
Unpleasant memories of the first leg for the DFB team
The DFB team also had to experience how unpleasant the Slovaks are to play in the first leg. The 0-2 first leg defeat triggered dark scenarios in the local media landscape and resulted in warning words from the DFB sports director in the direction of the national coach. “The Germans will not underestimate us this time. I am convinced that they will prepare thoroughly for us.”said midfielder Ondrej Duda, a former Bundesliga player with Hertha and Cologne.
Captain Skriniar invokes a “small miracle” against Germany
However, the Slovaks are happy to accept the role of outsiders. The Germans would have “certainly not expected”that they have to go to a “qualifying final,” left winger Lukas Haraslin said: “They thought they were through after four or five games. Maybe there’s more pressure on them than on us.”
“We’re definitely in the playoffs, which is excellent”said Captain Skriniar: “But why not try a small miracle and surprise the Germans in Germany? We will give everything.”