Germany Stalls Despite Dominant Win Over Luxembourg, Qualifying for 2026 World Cup in Question
Nick Woltemade's brace against Luxembourg secured Germany's 2-0 win, but the result didn't exactly inspire confidence. The match, played in front of a packed crowd, was marked by a lackluster first half from Germany, who struggled to find their footing before taking control in the second half.
Julian Nagelsmann acknowledged that his team's performance in the first half was subpar, saying they "didn't get off to a good start" and conceded many dangerous situations. However, Germany eventually found their rhythm and took full control of the match, boasting 65% possession and a significant advantage in shots on target.
Despite the win, Nagelsmann expressed concerns that his team's performance was not yet at its best. "The three points are the most important thing today," he said, but the question is whether this win is enough to propel Germany through the qualifying process for the 2026 World Cup.
Germany currently sits even on points with Slovakia, who beat Northern Ireland 1-0 in their parallel match. However, Germany's better goal differential gives them an advantage, and it appears that they should be able to secure a draw against Slovakia.
But this win only raises questions about Germany's overall performance under Nagelsmann. The team has struggled to recapture the form that won them the Euros and saw them dominate the UEFA Nations League in the early stages of the competition. Nagelsmann had promised a revolution when he took over, but the current squad seems stuck in a rut.
The likes of Leon Goretzka and Leroy Sané, who are often touted as key players for Germany, failed to deliver against Luxembourg. Even with a strong team behind them, they can't seem to get it right. It's time for Nagelsmann to rethink his strategy and consider bringing in some fresh talent from the U21 and U19 ranks.
The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner, and Germany needs to show signs of life if they want to make a serious push for the title. The win over Luxembourg was a welcome result, but it's not enough to quiet the doubts about Nagelsmann's team and their chances in the qualifying process.
Nick Woltemade's brace against Luxembourg secured Germany's 2-0 win, but the result didn't exactly inspire confidence. The match, played in front of a packed crowd, was marked by a lackluster first half from Germany, who struggled to find their footing before taking control in the second half.
Julian Nagelsmann acknowledged that his team's performance in the first half was subpar, saying they "didn't get off to a good start" and conceded many dangerous situations. However, Germany eventually found their rhythm and took full control of the match, boasting 65% possession and a significant advantage in shots on target.
Despite the win, Nagelsmann expressed concerns that his team's performance was not yet at its best. "The three points are the most important thing today," he said, but the question is whether this win is enough to propel Germany through the qualifying process for the 2026 World Cup.
Germany currently sits even on points with Slovakia, who beat Northern Ireland 1-0 in their parallel match. However, Germany's better goal differential gives them an advantage, and it appears that they should be able to secure a draw against Slovakia.
But this win only raises questions about Germany's overall performance under Nagelsmann. The team has struggled to recapture the form that won them the Euros and saw them dominate the UEFA Nations League in the early stages of the competition. Nagelsmann had promised a revolution when he took over, but the current squad seems stuck in a rut.
The likes of Leon Goretzka and Leroy Sané, who are often touted as key players for Germany, failed to deliver against Luxembourg. Even with a strong team behind them, they can't seem to get it right. It's time for Nagelsmann to rethink his strategy and consider bringing in some fresh talent from the U21 and U19 ranks.
The 2026 World Cup is just around the corner, and Germany needs to show signs of life if they want to make a serious push for the title. The win over Luxembourg was a welcome result, but it's not enough to quiet the doubts about Nagelsmann's team and their chances in the qualifying process.