Slovakia stun Germany in World Cup qualifying opener

Julian Nagelsmann’s big changes for Germany's World Cup qualifying opener against Slovakia were the debut for Nnamdi Collins and Joshua Kimmich’s return to midfield. 

The hosts had a positive start with former Bundesliga attacker Ondrej Duda at the heart of the action, but there was no big chance at either end inside the first 20 minutes.

Slovakia’s 19-year-old striker Leo Sauer had the first two clear-cut chances of the game, but Oliver Baumann saved both attempts. Soon after, Martin Dúbravka also made his first stops from Maximilian Mittelstädt and Kimmich.

However, Feyenoord’s Sauer continued to be a real threat for Germany’s defense with his quick feet. In contrast, we had to wait until the half-hour mark for Nick Woltemade’s first attempt. A minute later, Florian Wirtz followed it up with a solo strike, but Dúbravka denied him what would’ve been a memorable goal.

Instead, the hosts took a shocking lead five minutes before the half-time break. After a brilliant one-two with David Strelec, Dávid Hancko beat Baumann with a fine strike for his second goal in the last three Slovakia matches. Wirtz was the one who was dispossessed in the middle of the pitch at the start of the well-worked move.

Yet, Liverpool’s new man was also behind Germany’s first chance after the break. His supreme technique handed Leon Goretzka a clear opportunity to level right away, but Dúbravka made another decent save. Meanwhile, Nagelsmann’s first change saw David Raum replacing Collins for the second-half.

Because of Sauer’s excellent display, Eintracht Frankfurt’s fullback had a debut to forget. Slovakia’s attacking line continued to cause trouble for Germany, with Strelec testing Baumann after another slick move. A minute later, against all odds, they doubled their lead with a moment of brilliance by Strelec.

Antonio Rüdiger was unable to stop Middlesbrough’s deadline day signing as his curling shot ended up in the net. Nagelsmann, who lost both games in the final stages of the Nations League in July, introduced the in-form Mainz midfielder Nadiem Amiri and Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi for his next two substitutions.

However, Kimmich’s off-target free-kick was the only chance they had until the 70th minute. At the start of the last 20 minutes, Goretzka had another good chance. Germany started to build momentum with Adeyemi now the most threatening right-winger on the pitch.

That only lasted for a few minutes, though. Slovakia had a relatively comfortable end to the match. After their independence in 1993, Slovakia have only managed to qualify for the World Cup once (2010).

On Sunday, Germany will face Northern Ireland in Köln with hopes of a first qualifying win before October’s international break. Northern Ireland beat Luxembourg 3-1 away from home in the other game of the group, which was played simultaneously.