Qualifying tournaments for the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Germany passes Luxembourg; Northern Ireland stuns Slovakia

German Joshua Kimmich scored twice to propel his side to a 4-0 home win over Luxembourg in a World Cup qualifier on Friday, with the visitors reduced to 10 men in the first half and the hosts moving top of the standings in a tight Group A draw.

Germany was playing catch-up after losing their opening match in Slovakia 2-0, their first away defeat in a World Cup qualifier. After a 3-1 win over Northern Ireland, Julian Nagelsmann’s side continued their revival against Luxembourg.

The win, combined with Slovakia’s 2–0 defeat in Northern Ireland, puts the Germans top on goal difference, while the Irish move into second and the Slovaks drop to third, with all three teams on six points. Luxembourg is at the bottom without a point.

The group winner automatically qualifies, while the number two advances to the play-offs. Germany is already assured of a play-off spot thanks to its Nations League ranking.

Germany laid siege to the visitor’s goal from the start and Nick Woltemade appeared to have scored his first international goal after deflecting into Serge Gnabry’s shot, but his effort was ruled out for handball.

David Raum opened the scoring in the 12th minute, scoring his first goal for Germany in style by curling a free kick around the wall, which beat goalkeeper Anthony Moris at his near post.

Luxembourg lost defender Dirk Carlson to a red card for a handball in the penalty area, and Kimmich converted the resulting penalty in the 21st minute, but despite his numerical advantage the hosts failed to increase the lead before half-time.

That changed quickly after the break when a pass from Karim Adeyemi sent Gnabry running into the penalty area and he smashed his effort past Moris three minutes into the second half.

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Two minutes later, after Luxembourg failed to clear the ball from a corner from inside the six-yard box, Kimmich pounced onto the net from close range.

The last time the sides met resulted in a 7-0 win for Germany in 2006, with current Luxembourg manager Jeff Strasser on the field for the loser. He must have feared a repeat score, but his side withstood much of the constant pressure.

Germany then travels to the Irish on Monday, when Slovakia hosts Luxembourg.

Northern Ireland stuns Slovakia

Northern Ireland rekindled their World Cup qualification hopes with a 2-0 win over Slovakia in Belfast to move into second place in Group A.

Slovakia arrived full of confidence after a shock 2-0 win over Germany and a 1-0 victory in Luxembourg had put them top of the table, but fell behind to an own goal in the 18th minute.

Patrik Hrosovsky turned the ball into his own goal from Ethan Galbraith’s low cross in the penalty area and the lead was no more than the home side deserved after a good start.

It didn’t look like Slovakia would get back into the match, and Trai Hume’s first international goal nine minutes from time secured victory at a jubilant Windsor Park.

The visitor’s keeper knocked the ball away from his area but Hume was there to send a stunning side-foot volley into the net to set up a mouthwatering clash with Germany in Belfast on Monday.

Published on October 11, 2025