When it comes down to it, the German national soccer team plays itself into a frenzy. The 6-0 win against Slovakia left an impression on the international press.
ITALY
“Corriere dello Sport”: “Germany overruns Slovakia and flies to the World Cup.”
“La Repubblica”: “Germany at the World Cup: Overwhelmed Slovakia 6-0. Germany was unimpressed in the World Cup qualifier against Slovakia, (…). In Leipzig it dominated the game, won 6-0 and thus secured participation in the finals, while relegating its rival to the playoffs.”
ENGLAND
“Guardian”: “Germany secured a place at next year’s World Cup by beating Slovakia 6-0 in their final qualifying game, bringing them to their knees with four first-half goals and sending their opponents into the playoffs in March.”
SPAIN
“Mundo deportivo”: “6-0 – revenge with a sweeping victory for Germany and qualification for the World Cup. The ‘team’ has settled accounts with Slovakia, who had defeated them at the beginning of the qualifying round, and secured qualification with a finally convincing performance. Germany could not be left out of the World Cup and also issued a warning: You always have to take it into account in the fight for the title.”
“As”: “That’s just how it is with Germany. When it counts, they rarely fail, and that was the case on Monday in a crucial game for the future of a team that had been heavily questioned during this World Cup qualifying phase. The team came and beat Slovakia, who had made their way to the World Cup difficult with a 2-0 win on the first matchday of the group, by an impressive 6-0.”
FRANCE
“L’Équipe”: “Germany did not tremble. In a tense Group A final against Slovakia (6-0) on Monday evening, Julian Nagelsmann’s team, which was under pressure before this last decisive game, secured their qualification for the next World Cup thanks to an almost perfect first half.”
SLOVAKIA
“Novy Cas”: “Embarrassment, debacle and desperate wait for the end: The biggest defeat in the history of the Slovak national team! (…) Germany has thus perfectly made up for the 0-2 defeat that the Slovaks inflicted on them in the first qualifying game.”
“Plus everyone”: “Heaviest defeat in history: Germany defeated the Slovaks with six goals.”
SWITZERLAND
“Tages-Anzeiger”: “Germany tears the Slovaks apart and travels to the World Cup straight away. After a bit of grumbling, Germany has qualified for the 2026 World Cup straight away.”
“Blick”: “Germany completely detached – World Cup made clear. (…) The fact that the Germans, who would have been threatened with the playoffs if they lost again against the Slovaks, are ready from the start is embodied by no one more strongly than Joshua Kimmich. The captain, who has recovered (ankle injury), sets an example early on with a monster tackle on the sideline, giving Florian Wirtz the first chance to score of the game. And it is hardly surprising that Kimmich, too, who initiates Woltemade’s can opener head with a perfect cross.”
AUSTRIA
“Kronen-Zeitung”: “Germany conjures its way to the World Cup with a sweeping victory.”
“Kleine Zeitung”: “Half a dozen full! Germany fixes its World Cup ticket with a gala performance. While the DFB team goes to the World Cup finals with a big chest after this gala performance, the Slovaks have to go into the playoffs.”