Game of fate for Germany
Extreme caution is required
Updated November 17, 2025 – 6:26 p.mReading time: 4 minutes
The German national team is confident before the final World Cup qualifier in Leipzig. But the opponent has it all – and recently cracked the DFB team.
William Laing reports from Leipzig
One last step and the German national team will have achieved their big goal for this year: direct qualification for the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer. In the final game in Group A against Slovakia on Monday (from 8:45 p.m. in the live ticker on t-online), the DFB team has to get at least a draw. In the event of a defeat, the next opponent would again overtake Germany in the table. Then Julian Nagelsmann’s team would have to fight for the World Cup ticket in the playoffs in the spring.
However, this scenario should be avoided at all costs. The German selection is appropriately optimistic. The fact that the team could fail was “not an issue” among the players, said Nagelsmann at the final press conference on Sunday. “There are also few teams or coaches who address what can negatively happen.” The team seemed “very determined,” the national coach emphasized and made it clear shortly afterwards: “We are all assuming that we will have a good game tomorrow and that we can get the three points.”
The belief in one’s own strength is therefore great. But the optimism that is now being radiated in the media is also deceptive. Because the DFB team’s most recent appearance didn’t really serve as an encouragement. Just like the last duel with Slovakia.
Germany only played its penultimate qualifying game in Luxembourg on Friday. In the end the scoreboard read 2-0. But number 97 in the world rankings caused problems for the DFB selection for a long time. The back line around stand-in captain Jonathan Tah wobbled worryingly at times. Germany only generated decisive offensive power in the second period, which ultimately led to two goals from Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade.
“We won the game, that was the important thing,” Nagelsmann analyzed the game again soberly. But the performance was undeniably poor and would have had consequences against another opponent – for example against the Slovaks. The fact is: Francesco Calzona’s team already punished the German team’s negligence two months ago.
In Bratislava in September, the DFB team lost 2-0 against Slovakia at the start of their World Cup qualification. In attack, Germany did not use its few opportunities consistently enough. Defensively, the team played wildly. The DFB defense had its hands full with one player in particular that evening: Leo Sauer.