Germany And The Netherlands Seal World Cup Spots In Style As Playoff Takes Shape

‎World Cup qualifying came to a dramatic close across Europe as Germany and the Netherlands booked their spots at next year’s finals with commanding victories, while several other nations confirmed their paths to the playoffs.

‎Germany Crushes Slovakia to Clinch Group Top Spot

‎Germany delivered a resounding statement of intent with a 6-0 demolition of Slovakia, a performance that showed their attacking depth and renewed confidence after two consecutive World Cup group-stage exits.

‎The four-time world champions were relentless from the opening whistle, overwhelming Slovakia with four goals inside the first 45 minutes.

‎Rising star Nick Woltemade opened the scoring with a powerful header in the 18th minute, his fourth goal in just three appearances, before Serge Gnabry doubled the lead after latching onto a precise through ball from Leon Goretzka.

‎Florian Wirtz ran the show in midfield, threading a brilliant pass to Leroy Sané, who curled the ball past Martin Dúbravka to make it 3-0. Minutes later, Wirtz supplied another assist as Sané grabbed his second of the night.

‎Slovakia, which had stunned Germany earlier in Bratislava, simply couldn’t cope with the hosts’ pressing and fluid combinations.

‎“We did not allow anything at the back and were creative from the first to the last second,” Woltemade said after the match, reflecting the team’s renewed belief.

‎Germany eased off after the break, but the bench made sure the scoreboard kept ticking. Ridle Baku added the fifth, and 19-year-old debutant Assan Ouédraogo sealed the 6-0 rout becoming the youngest scorer in Germany’s history.

‎The emphatic victory meant Germany finished three points clear at the top of their group, while Slovakia dropped into the March playoffs.

‎Netherlands Stroll Past Lithuania to Book Their Ticket

‎Over in Group G, the Netherlands produced a confident performance to secure qualification with a clean 4-0 home victory against Lithuania. The result ensured the Dutch sealed top spot, finishing three points ahead of Poland.

‎Tijjani Reijnders opened the scoring before the break, capping a dominant first half in which Lithuania struggled to get out of their own half. The floodgates opened after the restart, with Cody Gakpo, Xavi Simons, and Donyell Malen all scoring in quick succession.

‎The Netherlands could have easily added more, given the number of chances they created, but the four goals were more than enough to see them comfortably through to the finals.

‎Poland Survives Scare in Malta to Earn Playoff Place

‎Poland’s qualification hopes came down to composure and conviction in Malta, where they secured a 3-2 victory to punch their ticket to the playoffs.

‎Robert Lewandowski set the tone early with a trademark finish, but Malta fought back through Irvin Cardona. Pawel Wszolek restored Poland’s lead, only for a Teddy Teuma penalty to level the game once more.

‎It was Piotr Zieliński who had the final say, scoring a late winner to seal a hard-earned three points and with them, Poland’s place in March’s playoffs.

‎Northern Ireland Ends on a High, Despite a Missed Opportunity

‎Northern Ireland’s hopes of finishing second in Group A evaporated after their heartbreaking stoppage-time defeat to Slovakia days earlier, leaving their final match against Luxembourg as little more than a formality.

‎Still, they signed off with a 1-0 win at Windsor Park courtesy of Jamie Donley, who scored his first international goal from the penalty spot moments before halftime. It wasn’t a sparkling performance, but the victory helps build momentum ahead of their Nations League–earned playoff berth in March.

‎Czech Republic Hit Six as Gibraltar Finish Winless

‎The Czech Republic, already assured of a playoff berth and second place behind Croatia, produced a ruthless 6-0 dismantling of Gibraltar.

‎Five first-half goals set the tone, with David Doudera scoring inside the opening five minutes before Tomas Chory, Vladimir Coufal, Adam Karabec, and captain Tomas Soucek all found the net.

‎Robin Hranac bundled in a corner early in the second half to complete the rout. It was a convincing send-off before the high-pressure playoff campaign ahead.

‎Looking Ahead

‎With Germany and the Netherlands sealing direct qualification in commanding fashion, attention now shifts to the March playoffs a final chance for nations like Slovakia, Poland, Northern Ireland, and the Czech Republic to secure a ticket to the world stage.