Brown debuts
©IMAGO
First a roll backwards with leader Joshua Kimmich, then the hoped-for confident victory and the jump to first place as a boost: Julian Nagelmann has his eyes firmly set on the direct ticket for the 2026 World Cup after the national team’s easy 4-0 (2-0) against the brave but overwhelmed outsiders Luxembourg.
David Raum (12th minute) with his first international goal, Kimmich (21st/hand penalty/50th), who was again called up as a right-back by the national coach, with his first DFB double pack and the outstanding Serge Gnabry (48th) scored the goals for the superior DFB team against the underdog, who was decimated early by a red card for Dirk Carlson.
After the biggest win 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.
With their win against the Slovaks, the British helped the DFB team to lead the table in Group A. Their own opening defeat in the World Cup qualifying round against Slovakia (0:2) should remain a one-off blip on the way to the title challenge in North America next summer.
“We are not in the situation of underestimating an opponent,” Nagelsmann said before kick-off, given the DFB team’s rocky start in Bratislava. The reluctance was unfounded. After a dominant start, the victory was never in danger against Luxembourg, who still had no points.
Kimmich shone in front of 25,249 spectators in the sold-out arena in Sinsheim in his new, old role as a great driver. 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.
“Joshua is very strong in both positions. We always try to find solutions and see which option is the best,” said Nagelsmann, explaining the move of Kimmich from central midfield to the right side of defense, which was recently identified as a problem area in the German team.
In addition, Nagelsmann relied on proven staff instead of further personnel experiments. BVB central defender Nico Schlotterbeck was back in the DFB starting eleven for the first time since March after his knee injury and gained 45 minutes of match practice.
DFB team gets off to a powerful start
Kimmich, one of five self-confident Munich players in the starting line-up, gave his first offensive signal after just three minutes and thus set the tone. Luxembourg goalkeeper Anthony Moris was able to fend off his tight shot. Shortly afterwards, players and fans celebrated the supposed lead – but too early.
Nick Woltemade, who reported fit after just one training session after a flu-like infection at the start of the week, deflected a Gnabry shot into the net – albeit with his arm. After the video assistant intervened, the hit rightly didn’t count. It would have been the first international goal for the striker, who moved from VfB Stuttgart to Newcastle United in the summer for 75 million euros.
After twelve minutes, the DFB team rewarded themselves for their dominant start. Raum scored with a direct free kick from almost 20 meters. For the RB Leipzig captain it was his first goal in his 31st appearance for Germany.
After less than 20 minutes, the VAR was activated for the second time – this time because of a handball by Carlson in his own penalty area that initially went unpunished. According to the TV images, the Serbian referee Nenad Minakovic decided on a penalty and sent Luxembourg’s defender off the pitch with a red card. Kimmich turned ice cold.
Even when outnumbered, the German team remained focused and created another big chance, which Woltemade missed. After a magic pass from Florian Wirtz, who was playing freely, the 23-year-old stumbled with the ball in front of the goal.
The decimated guests barely made it over the halfway line in the one-sided game. One wave of attacks after the other rolled towards the outsider’s goal. At times the game was more reminiscent of handball. Nagelsmann’s team found another gap in the Luxembourg defense, losing a little of their initial fire after 35 minutes, but not again until the break.
DFB double strike after the break
That changed shortly after the restart when Gnabry extended the lead with a dry shot under the crossbar and was rewarded for an overall strong performance with his 24th international goal. Just 120 seconds later, Kimmich scored a brace from close range.
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.
The 125 million euro man from Liverpool FC didn’t notice the bad start to the season in England, even if he couldn’t set any further highlights. Nathaniel Brown also made his debut in the 82nd minute.