Captain Kimmich scores twice
DFB-Elf celebrates victory against decimated Luxembourg
Updated 10/10/2025 – 10:58 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Everyone expected a clear success against the outsiders – and the German team delivered. An early sending off played into Germany’s hands.
Germany achieved the clear victory it sought against outsiders Luxembourg in the World Cup qualification. The DFB team won 4-0 on Friday.
In front of 25,249 spectators in the sold-out arena in Sinsheim, captain Joshua Kimmich shone in particular in his new, old role as a great driving force. In his 104th international match, in which he passed Franz Beckenbauer (103), the DFB captain did not limit himself to his duties as a right wing player. He was just everywhere.
The German team, which appeared determined from the start, benefited from an early red card for the guests. According to the video images, referee Nenad Minaković (Serbia) sent off Luxembourg’s Dirk Carlson after a handball in his own penalty area. Kimmich safely converted the penalty (21st minute).
The German lead had previously given David Raum a direct free kick (12′). It was the Leipzig player’s first international goal. Until the break, Nagelsmann’s team was unable to convert their majority into further goals despite their overwhelming superiority.
That happened after the break, when national coach Waldemar Anton substituted for returning player Nico Schlotterbeck. The German selection only needed a few minutes to make it 4-0. The agile Serge Gnabry scored within 120 seconds (48th), before captain Joshua Kimmich scored his second goal of the day after a corner to make the final score 4-0 (50th).
After an hour it was over for the hapless Woltemade, who was replaced by Jonathan Burkardt from New Frankfurt. Ridle Baku also came in for Karim Adeyemi and thus his DFB comeback. As soon as they were on the pitch, both of them saw a shot from Wirtz hitting the post. Later, Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown also celebrated his international debut.
“It was important that we were there from the start and took the lead early. We were sharp when we lost balls. We allowed almost nothing. That was also our goal,” said goalscorer David Raum on ARD.
National coach Nagelsmann analyzed: “The majority didn’t necessarily do us any good because the opponent then kept running more. It was a deserved victory that we definitely needed and wanted.”
After the biggest success of the year, which could have been even clearer with more consistency, Nagelsmann travels more relaxed to the more difficult away task on Monday in Belfast against Northern Ireland. They beat DFB-Schreck Slovakia 2-0 on Friday evening, making the German team the new league leaders in Group A.