It was decided by her 0:6 debacle in Monday’s final qualifying match on German soil in Leipzig. The favored four-time world champions won Group A with 15 points and advanced directly to the championship in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Slovaks suffered the highest qualifying loss in history. They also suffered a 0:6 debacle in Mendoza against home team Argentina in June 1995, but it was a preparatory duel. Despite the loss to Germany, they took second place in the table with 12 points and will fight for their second participation in the World Cup in March. Along with them, Northern Ireland will also get a chance in the play-off based on their placement in the Nations League. The play-off draw is scheduled for Thursday, November 20 at 1:00 p.m.
The wards of Italian coach Francesco Calzona were the only ones able to beat favored Germany. They succeeded in the very first match of the rapid qualification cycle, whose matches were played from September to November. They triumphed 2:0 in Bratislava, but the Germans then won all five remaining matches and advanced to the World Cup for the 21st time in history.
GERMANY – SLOVAKIA 6:0 (4:0)
Goals: 18. Woltemade, 29. Gnabry, 36. A 41. Sing, 67. Baku, 79. Oedraogo
Judges: Letexier – Mugnier, Rahmouni (all Fr.), ŽK: Thiaw, Tah, 40,120 spectators
Lineups and substitutions:
Germany: Baumann – Kimmich (63. Baku), Tah, Schlotterbeck (63. Thiaw), Raum (72. Brown) – Goretzka, Pavlović (46. Nmecha) – Sané, Gnabry, Wirtz (77. Ouedraogo) – Woltemade
Slovakia: Dúbravka – Gyömbér (46. Schranz), Škriniar, Obert, Hancko – Bero (24. Rigo), Lobotka, Duda (46. Šatka) – Ďuriš (82. Pekarík), Strelec (68. Bobček), Sauer
In the sold-out Red Bull Arena, the Slovaks started with two changes compared to the duel against Northern Ireland. Ondrej Duda appeared in the midfield instead of Tomáš Rig after serving a card penalty, for whom it was the jubilee 90th game for the national team. Leo Sauer replaced Lukáš Haraslín on the left wing. The Germans were the first to get past the opponent’s defense, but Gnabry did not threaten Dúbravka with his head. The opening minutes were marked by the great respect of the Slovak footballers and the dominance of the German team.
After Wirtz’s activity, Gnabry got into the box, his cross was deflected by Obert to Kimmich, who shot through the goal. The German captain improved his appetite in the 18th minute. After a corner kick, he sent a cross to a small area where Woltemade reigned alone – 1:0. The guests responded a moment later with two chances from Ďuriš – the first time the quick Baumann deflected the ball into the corner and the second time the Slovak winger’s cannon whistled over the crossbar. They were the only bright moments in their game during the first half.
In the 25th minute, after the ball for the defense, Dúbravka distinguished himself by eliminating Gnabry’s puck. Four minutes later, however, the Slovakian goalkeeper did not have the right against the same player after finishing a quick combination – 2:0. The black first half of Calzon’s team was underlined by two more hits from Sané after passes from Wirtz and the guests were ready to throw in the towel at 0:4.
In the 49th minute, the visitors had the advantage of an indirect kick deep inside the opponent’s penalty area, but Sané’s sharp attempt was deflected into the corner by the visitors. The Slovaks already played that with Schranz and Šatko on the grass and in the new 5-4-1 defensive scheme. This prevented further avalanche attacks by Germany, which, however, continued to control the game. In the 67th minute, the ball along the axis of Woltemade – Gnabry reached the substitute Baku and he easily shot past Dúbravka – 5:0. The ball was played on German football boots, the only question was the height of the Slovaks’ debacle. Goretzka could add another goal, Dúbravka kept his team. However, Ouedraog’s attempt had already hit the post. The Slovaks didn’t come up with anything going forward, so they left Leipzig with a real lesson.
