Shock! Germany Stunned by Slovakia in World Cup Qualifier!
Bratislava witnessed a major upset as Slovakia defeated Germany in their opening 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. This marks only the fourth time Germany has lost a World Cup qualifier, sending shockwaves through the football world.
Slovakia Shocks Germany
David Hancko's impressive run and finish, followed by David Strelec's stunning curler after outmaneuvering Antonio Rudiger, secured a memorable victory for the home side. Despite fielding stars like Florian Wirtz and Newcastle's Nick Woltemade, Germany's attack proved ineffective.
Key Moments of the Match
- Hancko's goal: A brilliant individual effort gave Slovakia the lead.
- Strelec's stunner: The Middlesbrough forward's skill and finish doubled the advantage.
- Germany's struggles: The visitors failed to convert possession into goals.
In other qualifying matches, Northern Ireland secured a 3-1 win against Luxembourg, while Spain triumphed 3-0 over Bulgaria. Poland drew 1-1 with the Netherlands, and Belgium dominated Liechtenstein with a 6-0 victory.
Musiala's Injury a Blow for Germany
Adding to Germany's woes, Jamal Musiala, considered irreplaceable by Lothar Matthaus and likened to Lionel Messi, suffered a serious injury during the Club World Cup. The Bayern Munich midfielder fractured his fibula and damaged ankle ligaments, sidelining him for several months. This is a significant blow to Germany's World Cup qualifying campaign.
The top team from each qualifying group will secure a spot in the World Cup, while the runners-up will enter play-offs. The pressure is now on Germany to bounce back from this unexpected defeat and secure their place in the tournament.