Berlin, 18 November 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Germany have booked their ticket for the 2026 World Cup after a 6-0 thrashing of Slovakia on Monday evening.

"Every player did extremely well. I have nothing to complain about, I'm proud of the team," coach Julian Nagelsmann told broadcaster ZDF.

In a goal festival, Nick Woltemade broke the deadlock in the 18th and Serge Gnabry doubled the Germans' lead in the 29th.

Leroy Sané, who has just returned to the national team, followed up with a brace scoring in the 36th and 41st.

Ridle Baku added a fifth in the 67th and debutant Assan Ouedraogo scored just two minutes after coming from the bench to complete a dazzling victory in the 79th.

"We knew that we had to reach our top level so we could win. The coach prepared us well. In the end, we have a very, very strong match. I'm very happy with the way we won," captain Joshua Kimmich said.

Germany topped Group A with 15 points, three ahead of second-placed Slovakia.

Only the group winners qualify directly for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, while the runners-up advance to a play-off stage.

"Very sad and disappointed because we knew we could go to the World Cup and also because of the result," Slovakia defneder David Hancko told ZDF.

"We were not able to put up our best performance. It's not easy, but if somebody had told us we would go into this game level on points with Germany, we would have been surprised."

Best performance in qualifiers

Germany put up one of the best performances of coach Julian Nagelsmann's era and by far their best performance in the World Cup qualifiers.

Slovakia defeated Germany in the opening match as Nagelsmann's squad faced a mini-crisis amid fears that a direct qualification wouldn't come.

The Germans got it together and arrived in Monday's decisive match needing only a draw - but they preferred to stage a football festival for the fans in Leipzig.

Woltemade scored his fourth goal in three consecutive games to give Germany the lead in the 18th, finishing off a cross from Kimmich.

Slovakia tried to hit back quickly and Hancko had a shot blocked by David Raum in the 21st. The ball was recovered by David Duris, but his effort was deflected by goalkeeper Oliver Baumann.

Gnabry was denied by keeper Martin Dubravka after Woltemade's pass in the 25th, but was on target four minutes later, after being served by Leon Goretzka's through-pass to beat the defender and then Dubravka from close range.

Sané makes a statement

Sané then combined with Florian Wirtz twice to score a brace as he made his comeback for the national team.

He was just brought back into the squad after not being selected in September and October following his transfer from Bayern Munich to Galatasaray in summer.

In the second half, Gnabry served Baku in the 67th and the RB Leipzig defender sent the ball into the net to finish off a fine team play.

And in the 79th, Ouedraogo added his name to the scoresheet in his first match for the national team to complete the score.

"I think we played very, very well, were creative, active, we had a lot of fun. It's a beautiful moment," Woltemade said.

Speaking about his first year for the national team, he added: "It's very emotional, I can't really describe it. It's always beautiful to play for Germany. Now a World Cup - hopefully!"

Photo: EPA