Germany lost an away World Cup qualifying game for the first time in a 2-0 upset against Slovakia which threw its campaign to reach the 2026 tournament into immediate jeopardy.
David Hancko and David Strelec each exploited mistakes in Germany’s defense to give Slovakia — which last qualified for the World Cup in 2010 — a surprise lead. Germany couldn’t find a way through the Slovakian defense to get back into the game on Thursday.
It was a blow to coach Julian Nagelsmann and his new-look lineup, including Newcastle’s new striker Nick Woltemade in his third Germany game and 21-year-old Nnamdi Collins making his debut at right back.
Nagelsmann was scathing about his team, which he said lacked “emotionality” on the field and the will to win against motivated underdog opposition. He even questioned whether he should pick less skilled but more dedicated players instead.
“Maybe we really do need to rely less on quality and instead on players who just give everything, because that would have led to better results today than if the best players played,” he told broadcaster ARD.
Germany now needs to win all of its remaining five games to avoid the playoffs, Nagelsmann added.
Historic records fall
Germany, including West Germany’s record during the Cold War, has played at every World Cup since 1954. Until Thursday (September 4, 2025) it had only ever lost three World Cup qualifiers, all at home.
The loss in Slovakia was also only the second time Germany lost a World Cup qualifier by more than one goal. The other was a 5-1 home loss to England in 2001.
Germany seemed so confident of qualifying from a straightforward group with Slovakia, Northern Ireland and Luxembourg that it already booked a friendly on the assumption it wins the group.
Germany on Thursday (September 4, 2025) announced a friendly with Ivory Coast for March 2026 “in the event of successful direct World Cup qualification.” The date clashes with the playoffs for second-place teams.
It was Germany’s opening game in Group A, which also saw Northern Ireland beat Luxembourg 3-1 on Thursday.
Lionel Messi scores twice in an emotional home farewell for Argentina
Lionel Messi made sure he had good memories of playing a home qualifier with Argentina’s national team for the last time in his illustrious career.
Messi scored twice Thursday in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Venezuela in front of a raucous sellout crowd that had gathered at estadio Monumental to bid him farewell.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their third goal.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters
“Being able to finish this way here is what I’ve always dreamed of,” Messi said. “I’ve experienced a lot of things on this pitch, both good and not so good, but it’s always a joy to play in Argentina, in front of our fans.”
Messi is yet to give any clues about when he will retire from the top level of the sport. But the qualifiers for the 2030 World Cup will begin in 2027, when he’s 40.
The Argentina captain scored in the 39th and 80th minutes, and Lautaro Martinez added a goal in the 76th.
Messi now has 36 goals in South American World Cup qualifiers and remains as the all-time scoring leader. His Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez has 29 goals in continental qualifying, but he has retired from Uruguay’s national team. Bolivia’s Marcelo Moreno Martins is third with 22.
Looking ahead, Messi clarified that he will only compete in next year’s World Cup if he feels physically fit.
“I’m excited, eager. It’s day by day, feeling the sensations. If I feel good, I enjoy it; if not, I’d rather not be there,” he said, adding that the nine months until the tournament kicks off “is a long time.”
Already qualified, the World Cup champions extended their tally to 38 points and will remain atop the South American qualifying standings regardless of what happens in the last round next Tuesday.
Venezuela, trying to qualify for its first World Cup, remains on 18 points and in seventh place. They’re still in contention to advance to an intercontinental playoff.
Spain cruises to victory
European champion Spain took an early lead with Mikel Oyarzabal’s fifth-minute goal and eased to a 3-0 win over Bulgaria in both teams’ opening qualifying game. Marc Cucurella and Mikel Merino scored to extend Spain’s lead.
Spain’s Pedri, right, leaps over Bulgaria’s Nikolay Minkov during the World Cup Group E qualifying soccer match.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Ugurcan Cakir’s leaping save in the 11th minute of added time meant Turkey held on to beat Georgia 3-2 in their opening qualifier despite having forward Baris Alper Yilmaz sent off just four minutes after he’d come on from the bench.
Dutch team’s perfect start spoiled
Matty Cash scored to salvage a 1-1 draw for Poland which ended the Netherlands’ perfect start to qualifying.
Denzel Dumfries’ header at a corner had put the Netherlands on course for a third win from three games without conceding a goal, but Cash leveled the score for Poland with a fierce shot from the edge of the penalty area in the 80th minute.
Polish players applaud to their fans after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on September 4, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Not all teams have started their World Cup qualifying at the same time because of Nations League commitments earlier this year.
Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski returned to action as Poland’s captain after briefly leaving the national team during a dispute with ex-coach Michal Probierz in June.
Lithuania and Malta drew 1-1 in Thursday’s other Group G game.
Belgium’s 6-0 win
Belgium started slowly against tiny Liechtenstein and only led 1-0 at halftime but turned it into a 6-0 rout including two goals from Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans and one from Napoli’s Kevin de Bruyne.
Belgium’s Arthur Theate celebrates after scoring a goal during the World Cup 2026 qualifying Group J soccer match against Liechtenstein.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Wales went top of Group J with a 1-0 win over Kazakhstan but has played two games more than third-place Belgium. Wales nearly dropped points when Kazakhstan’s Serikzhan Muzhikov hit a free kick against the crossbar with the last act of the game.
Published – September 05, 2025 09:52 am IST
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