Did Germany and Netherlands Secure Their FIFA 2026 World Cup Tickets?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Germany qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a stunning 6-0 victory over Slovakia.
- Netherlands topped Group G after a comprehensive 4-0 win against Lithuania.
- Leroy Sane was a standout performer, contributing significantly to Germany's success.
- Slovakia remains in the hunt for a World Cup spot via the UEFA Playoff.
- Poland also secured its position by edging past Malta.
New Delhi, Nov 18 (NationPress) Germany has secured its spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 with an impressive 6-0 triumph over Slovakia, finishing first in Group A. Joining them at the global event is the Netherlands, which dominated Lithuania with a 4-0 victory to top Group G.
Leroy Sane was the star of the show as Germany clinched their qualification for a remarkable 19th consecutive World Cup, showcasing a commanding performance against Slovakia.
Nick Woltemade initiated the scoring with a powerful header. Serge Gnabry then extended the lead, followed by Leroy Sane, who netted twice within five minutes thanks to assists from Florian Wirtz, effectively sealing the match before the break.
The second half saw continued pressure on the Slovakia goal, with Ridle Baku finishing a well-orchestrated team play for the fifth goal. The scoring was rounded off by teenage debutant Assan Ouedraogo, who executed a brilliant backheel assist from Sane.
On the other hand, the Netherlands completed their World Cup qualification with a commanding win over Lithuania in Amsterdam. The Dutch squad established control early, capitalizing on a defensive error that led to Tijjani Reijnders scoring with a right-footed shot.
Cody Gakpo then converted a penalty after a handball in the box, followed by Xavi Simons extending the lead to three. A powerful run from Donyell Malen concluded the scoring for the match.
Despite the defeat, Slovakia remains in contention for a World Cup spot, finishing second in the group and advancing to the 16-team UEFA Playoff competition.
Poland also secured the runner-up position in Group G by narrowly defeating Malta in their final match.
In Group L, Croatia staged a dramatic comeback to clinch a last-minute victory over Montenegro, while Czechia scored six against Gibraltar.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland concluded their qualifying campaign positively with a win over Luxembourg in Group A.