Germany suffer shock World Cup qualifying loss to Slovakia

Germany's journey to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada got off to the worst possible start as Julian Nagelsmann's team suffered a deserved 2-0 defeat to Slovakia in Bratislava.

Nearly three months after the disappointment of the Nations League, Germany looked out of shape and sorts. They had never lost a World Cup qualifier away from home before tonight. History had been made, but not the kind that Nagelsmann wanted.

"We still have to convince the public, but I would like to emphasize once again that it is healthy to set goals," head coach Julian Nagelsmann said ahead of the game. The goal of world champions remains, but the focus is on the process.

Germany's performance against Slovakia made their goals look loftier now than they did in June.

Germany looked lethargic and were very lucky to be behind by only one goal at the break. By the time David Strelec had turned Antonio Rüdiger inside out and doubled the hosts' lead, Germany looked like a boxer who had been 12 rounds.

The problem is, the new domestic football season has just started. Germany's two leading attackers — Nick Woltemade and Florian Wirtz — have just moved for a combined transfer value of €210 million ($245). And Nagelsmann has been in charge for two years. In short, this performance is somewhat inexplicable.

Before the game, Nagelsmann spoke of a to-do list for his side during qualification. It included efficient possession, winning the ball lots and reducing the number of big chances the opposition has.

Afterwards, Jonathan Tah effectively admitted to ARD that those three issues were what undid Germany:

"In all areas [we were lacking], with the ball, when we lost the ball, transitions, defensively, we lacked connection to the game. It was a very weak performance from us."

Nagelsmann laments lack of emotion

"It was a surprise for us, that the game went the way it did," Tah said afterwards.

Everything about this was a surprise, but perhaps most of all was Germany's lack of drive.

"The first five to six minutes of the second half were a bit lighter, but the rest was very dark," a visibly frustrated Nagelsmann said afterwards.

"Emotionally, our opponents were miles better than us," he continued. "If we don't manage to find this emotion, then you can close the book."

Germany's head coach said that the team would talk about the issues among themselves, but stressed that each player needed to enter every game with the intent and drive of a Champions League semifinal.

"We don't need to talk about system or tactics," captain Joshua Kimmich. "This is about mindset, which was the problem in the last few games too."

For a team that has spent most of the last decade enduring rather than enjoying, this felt like a night when the disappointment of recent years weighed heavy and the joy of Euro 2024 was all but forgotten.

With Nagelsmann now permanently moving Kimmich into midfield, Germany's right back spot is up for grabs. Step forward Nnamdi Collins, Eintracht Frankfurt's versatile 21-year-old defender who has burst onto the scene.

But Collins had a tough night on his international debut in Bratislava. His attacking ventures were not matched with dangerous delivery, and defensively he struggled to contain the 19-year-old Leo Sauer down the left-hand side, who Nagelsmann said was the man-of-the-match.

If this was the night for staking a claim, Collins failed to do so and was hooked at the break.

With left back Maximilian Mittelstädt moving to right back, and Collins' replacement David Raum then on the left, Collins had a disappointing night, but was also part of a poor collective performance.

Questions will be asked why Kimmich wasn't moved to right back, but ultimately this was a reminder that Germany's long-standing wingback problem appears to be a long way from being solved.

Germany's World Cup qualifying campaign continues against Northern Ireland in Cologne on Sunday.