Germany misplaced an away World Cup qualifying recreation for the primary time in a 2-0 upset in opposition to Slovakia which threw its marketing campaign to attain the 2026 event into fast jeopardy.
David Hancko and David Strelec every exploited errors in Germany’s protection to give Slovakia — which final certified for the World Cup in 2010 — a shock lead. Germany could not discover a means by means of the Slovakian protection to get again into the sport on Thursday.
It was a blow to coach Julian Nagelsmann and his new-look lineup, together with Newcastle’s new striker Nick Woltemade in his third Germany recreation and 21-year-old Nnamdi Collins making his debut at proper again.
Nagelsmann was scathing about his group, which he mentioned lacked “emotionality” on the sector and the desire to win in opposition to motivated underdog opposition. He even questioned whether or not he ought to choose much less expert however extra devoted gamers as a substitute.
“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 advised broadcaster ARD.
Germany now wants to win all of its remaining 5 video games to keep away from the playoffs, Nagelsmann added.
Historic data fall
Germany, together with West Germany’s document throughout the Cold War, has performed at each World Cup since 1954. Until Thursday (September 4, 2025) it had solely ever misplaced three World Cup qualifiers, all at residence.
The loss in Slovakia was additionally solely the second time Germany misplaced a World Cup qualifier by a couple of purpose. The different was a 5-1 residence loss to England in 2001.
Germany appeared so assured of qualifying from an easy group with Slovakia, Northern Ireland and Luxembourg that it already booked a pleasant on the belief it wins the group.
Germany on Thursday (September 4, 2025) introduced a pleasant with Ivory Coast for March 2026 “within the occasion of profitable 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 purpose.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters
“Being able to finish this way here is what I’ve always dreamed of,” Messi mentioned. “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 but to give any clues about when he’ll retire from the highest degree of the game. But the qualifiers for the 2030 World Cup will start in 2027, when he’s 40.
The Argentina captain scored within the thirty ninth and eightieth minutes, and Lautaro Martinez added a purpose within the 76th.
Messi now has 36 targets in South American World Cup qualifiers and stays because the all-time scoring chief. His Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez has 29 targets in continental qualifying, however he has retired from Uruguay’s nationwide group. Bolivia’s Marcelo Moreno Martins is third with 22.
Looking forward, Messi clarified that he’ll solely compete in subsequent yr’s World Cup if he feels bodily match.
“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 mentioned, including that the 9 months till the event kicks off “is a long time.”
Already certified, the World Cup champions prolonged their tally to 38 factors and will stay atop the South American qualifying standings no matter what occurs within the final spherical subsequent Tuesday.
Venezuela, attempting to qualify for its first World Cup, stays on 18 factors and in seventh place. They’re nonetheless in rivalry to advance to an intercontinental playoff.
Spain cruises to victory
European champion Spain took an early lead with Mikel Oyarzabal’s fifth-minute purpose and eased to a 3-0 win over Bulgaria in each groups’ opening qualifying recreation. Marc Cucurella and Mikel Merino scored to prolong Spain’s lead.
Spain’s Pedri, proper, leaps over Bulgaria’s Nikolay Minkov throughout the World Cup Group E qualifying soccer match.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Ugurcan Cakir’s leaping save within the eleventh minute of added time meant Turkey held on to beat Georgia 3-2 of their opening qualifier regardless of having ahead Baris Alper Yilmaz despatched off simply 4 minutes after he’d come on from the bench.
Dutch group’s good begin spoiled
Matty Cash scored to salvage a 1-1 draw for Poland which ended the Netherlands’ good begin to qualifying.
Denzel Dumfries’ header at a nook had put the Netherlands heading in the right direction for a 3rd win from three video games with out conceding a purpose, however Cash leveled the rating for Poland with a fierce shot from the sting of the penalty space within the eightieth minute.
Polish gamers applaud to their followers after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on September 4, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Not all groups have began their World Cup qualifying on the similar time due to Nations League commitments earlier this yr.
Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski returned to motion as Poland’s captain after briefly leaving the nationwide group throughout a dispute with ex-coach Michal Probierz in June.
Lithuania and Malta drew 1-1 in Thursday’s different Group G recreation.
Belgium’s 6-0 win
Belgium began slowly in opposition to tiny Liechtenstein and solely led 1-0 at halftime however turned it right into a 6-0 rout together with two targets from Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans and one from Napoli’s Kevin de Bruyne.
Belgium’s Arthur Theate celebrates after scoring a purpose throughout the World Cup 2026 qualifying Group J soccer match in opposition to Liechtenstein.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Wales went prime of Group J with a 1-0 win over Kazakhstan however has performed two video games greater than third-place Belgium. Wales almost dropped factors when Kazakhstan’s Serikzhan Muzhikov hit a free kick in opposition to the crossbar with the final act of the sport.
