Germany suffered a shock defeat in Slovakia, ending a historic run that had lasted close to a century. Ranked 52nd in the world, Slovakia were considered underdogs, yet goals in each half secured a famous victory and handed the Germans only their fourth-ever World Cup qualifying loss.
Head coach Julian Nagelsmann did not hide his frustration after the setback, criticizing his players for lacking commitment and energy. He described the display as “pretty grim” and questioned the team’s hunger. Germany’s struggles on the international stage have been evident in recent years, having exited the last World Cup at the group stage and falling short in the quarter-finals of the most recent major tournament held on home soil.
Nagelsmann stressed that talent alone would not be enough to achieve success. “We showed no emotion today. Slovakia’s intensity was far superior. If we want to compete at the World Cup, performances like this will not take us there,” he warned. While he acknowledged a brief improvement early in the second half, he insisted the overall effort was well below expectations.
Despite having high-profile names such as Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz, Newcastle’s record signing Nick Woltemade, and Real Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger on the pitch, the coach hinted that reputation would no longer guarantee selection. According to him, future lineups will prioritize desire and determination over individual quality.
The defeat raises fresh concerns about Germany’s readiness for the next global tournament, with pressure mounting on Nagelsmann and his squad to rediscover their winning edge.
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