Germany player ratings vs. Slovakia

Germany booked their spot at the 2026 World Cup in style, as they overcame Slovakia by six goals to nil in Leipzig. 

Here are our German player ratings from the game: 

Germany starting XI player ratings:

GK: Oliver Baumann - 7/10

As has been the case throughout recent international breaks, Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann was more than dependable. 

Without any real ‘big’ chances to deal with, the experienced shot stopper dealt with a first-half chance from David Duris well, and continued to keep the ball ticking when in possession.

RB: Joshua Kimmich - 7/10

The captain returned and slotted back into the side with relative ease. It is easy to forget just how important Joshua Kimmich is for this side, with his endless work rate and fantastic ball-retention abilities.

Provided an assist for Nick Woltemade's opening goal, setting up the side to begin what would be a fantastic performance.

CB: Jonathan Tah - 7/10

Left with no real defending to do, Jonathan Tah kept the ball moving at the back simply enough and led by example as he took the armband from Kimmich in the second half.

CB: Nico Schlotterbeck - 6/10

Much like his centre-back partner, Nico Schlotterbeck was allowed a day off from his day job upon his return. His second-half substitution on his return from injury though, earns him a slightly lower rating than his partner.

LB: David Raum - 6/10

A rather quiet performance by David Raum's standards. Though the Leipzig left-back was as energetic as always. However, it would be a delivery from opposite full-back Kimmich that did the damage in the final third, rather than a Raum cross that supporters have become so accustomed to.

CDM: Leon Goretzka - 6/10

It was one of the better Leon Goretzka performances in recent times, and he capped this off with a neat assist for Bayern teammate Serge Gnabry. However, his work in possession was often outshone by Pavlovic in the first half, and Felix Nmecha in the second, capping his rating in comparison.

CDM: Aleksandar Pavlović - 7/10

Controlled, efficient, and reliable. For the time that he was on the pitch, Aleks Pavlovic turned up as he so often does. He kept the ball moving well and was always looking to remain positive when in possession. He continues to make that midfield spot his own under Julian Nagelsmann.

RM: Leroy Sané - 9/10

With Leroy Sane aiming to work his way back into the Germany setup on a full-time basis, his performance tonight certainly did him no harm.

With two goals, a telepathic link-up with Florian Wirtz, and a neat assist for Assan Ouedraogo, the Galatasaray winger will feel that his time with the national team is not quite done yet.

CAM: Serge Gnabry - 7/10

As always, Serge Gnabry was lively and always dangerous with his pace in behind. Without much to report other than his first-half goal, the Bayern forward provided a reliable presence in the final third for Nagelsmann.

LM: Florian Wirtz - 9/10

Florian Wirtz would answer his critics from Friday in the perfect fashion, with two simply world-class first-half assists for Leroy Sane.

As expected with the youngster, Wirtz was Germany's liveliest player in possession, always looking to make something happen. From the first whistle, he kept the ball moving from the left-hand side and received consistent appreciation from the German faithful in Leipzig for his work out of possession.

Without an international break now until March, the next step for Wirtz is to continue settling in at Liverpool, where he has received criticism throughout the current campaign's opening months.

ST: Nick Woltemade - 9/10

Leading by example from the front, Nick Woltemade just continues to get better and better, while becoming more and more important in a German shirt. 

He opened the scoring with a powerful header in the first half, and more than played his part throughout the remainder of the encounter. If the spot up top wasn't already his heading into next summer, then it most certainly is now.

Substitutes:

Felix Nmecha (for Aleksandar Pavlović, '46) - 7/10

Ridle Backu (for Joshua Kimmich, '63) - 7/10

Malick Thiaw (for Nico Schlotterbeck, '63) - 5/10

Nathaniel Brown (for David Raum, '72) - N/A

Assan Ouedraogo (for Florian Wirtz, '76) - N/A

Only players who featured for at least 30 minutes were rated.