With a lot of luck, Germany kept the upper hand in the World Cup qualifiers in Luxembourg – and thanks to Nick Woltemade, they remain on course towards the USA, Canada and Mexico.
In the final group game next Monday evening (11/17/2025, 8:45 p.m./live ticker at sportschu.de) in Leipzig against Slovakia, a draw is now enough for the DFB team. Germany lost the first leg 2-0 on September 4th, but against the Slovaks with the same points, the goal difference is decisive and not the direct comparison.
Luxembourg clearly better in the first round
In the 2-0 (0-0) win in Luxembourg in front of 9,500 spectators, Woltemade scored both goals; the Newcastle striker was successful for the DFB team in the 49th and 69th minutes. With a view to next year’s finals, the German fans must be worried and anxious after this performance: Luxembourg was clearly the better team for a long time, but failed due to their poor conversion of chances and two defensive lapses in the crucial moments.
Match winner Woltemade admitted afterwards: “The manner in the first half wasn’t good, I know – it wasn’t a treat. But in the end it’s the result that counts and of course I’m extremely happy about my goals.” National coach Julian Nagelsmann analyzed: “Ultimately it’s a result-oriented sport. But especially in the first half, I missed that we threw everything into it. But then things got better. We’ll play for a win against the Slovaks, not just for the one missing point.”
Even in the early stages, the Germans were amazed: Luxembourg started forechecking in the DFB team’s penalty area, looked aggressively and enthusiastically in the offensive duels and disrupted Julian Nagelsmann’s team in the build-up to the game. The error rate for the Germans was correspondingly high; there was clearly a lack of organization in the midfield and the balls were lost far too quickly in the attack.
Ulli Schäfer, Ulli Schäfer, sports show DFB team, sports show, November 14th, 2025 11:05 p.m
Wirtz fails, then only Baumann is asked
The guests still had the first half chance, but Florian Wirtz was denied by Luxembourg keeper Anthony Moris from the left half position in the 8th minute. But after that the attacks from the bottom of the table became more precise, St. Pauli striker Danel Sinani forced Oliver Baumann to make two saves, and Aiman Dardari shot just past the right post.
It was only after almost half an hour that Germany took an active part in the action again. But it was in keeping with the overall performance that Serge Gnabry and Wirtz again acted unfocused and imprecise in their shots. The defense also continued to stagger through the Stade de Luxembourg, disorientated. The culmination of the uncertainties came from Jonathan Tah, who replaced the ailing Joshua Kimmich as captain: In the 35th minute, after his devastating back pass, Baumann was only able to prevent the goal with his last effort, and he almost caused a penalty against the onrushing Dardari.
No change at the break – Woltemade thanks you
Amazing: Despite one of the worst halves in recent German international history, Nagelsmann did not react during the break and sent the same team onto the pitch after the break. Perhaps the selection of exchange candidates was too large for the national coach – apart from Baumann and the very hard-working Leroy Sané, everyone else would have deserved to wear the DFB jersey.
Woltemade was one of the worst – but his stay was quickly justified: After a brilliant change of wing by Aleksandar Pavlovic, Sané took advantage of a positional error by Luxembourg captain Laurent Jans to solo over the right – and the Newcastle striker pushed his perfectly measured cross over the line to take the lead.
Goretzka shortly before being sent off
However, the goal by no means gave the German game much security. Shortly after the 1-0, Dardari had the equalizer on his feet, he tunneled his shot past the overwhelmed Waldemar Anton, but the ball missed the post by centimeters. The luck of the game also helped the Germans afterwards.
Goretzka, who had already been warned, hit a lot of opponents in midfield and a bit of the ball – referee John Brooks talked to him long and intensively, but left with a stern warning. While Luxembourg coach Jeff Strasser could hardly control himself from anger on the sidelines and was shown yellow for complaining, Nagelsmann reacted immediately and brought Felix Nmecha into the game for Goretzka.
Martins misses the big chance – and that takes revenge
Luxembourg continued to increase the number of hits and had a 100 percent chance to equalize after Anton’s next positional error through Christopher Martins. But the Spartak Moscow striker got the ball on his knee five meters in front of the goal and managed to place it next to the goal (65th).
Curious: Shortly afterwards the game was decided. After a lightning counterattack, Ridle Baku served Woltemade in the center, who gave Moris no chance with a light chip ball for the second time that evening. Only then did the action become more calm, Luxembourg became increasingly resigned, and Germany brought home the victory in the end without being in danger again – but that had been the case often enough before.