In the opening round of the UEFA qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Germany suffered a shock defeat to Slovakia.
However, in the second round, the Germans bounced back with a 3–1 victory over Northern Ireland, securing their first win in Group A.
Meanwhile, Slovakia, which had stunned Germany in the first round, continued their strong run with a narrow 1–0 win over Luxembourg, making it two wins out of two.
With this result, Slovakia sit comfortably at the top of the group with six points, while Germany and Northern Ireland both have one win and one defeat, collecting three points each. Luxembourg, on the other hand, remain at the bottom with two losses.
Nagelsmann Responds to Boos
Although Germany managed to avoid the embarrassment of four consecutive competitive defeats, head coach Julian Nagelsmann’s performance still failed to win over the public.
The first half ended in a 1–1 draw, and the Germans looked far from dominant. As the players headed into halftime, the home fans showered Nagelsmann and the national team with loud boos.
Responding to the criticism, Nagelsmann said, “This doesn’t affect me much at the moment. Overall, we must understand the fans because they have different expectations. A ticket costs money, so naturally they want to see something else, and I can understand that.”
“On the other hand, I would also say that boos at halftime don’t bring much positive effect. If everyone works together, it’s about mutual understanding in our country, and usually things will go more smoothly.”
Depay Breaks Record as Netherlands Edge Lithuania
Elsewhere in Group G, the Netherlands faced a tough test against Lithuania. Despite dominating in attack, their defensive lapses saw them concede two goals. Fortunately, forward Memphis Depay was in fine form, scoring twice to help the “Oranje” clinch a 3–2 away win.
This victory not only kept the Netherlands on top of the group standings but also marked a personal milestone for Depay.
The 31-year-old striker, making his 104th international appearance, scored his 52nd goal for the national team, surpassing Robin van Persie’s tally of 50 to become the Netherlands’ all-time leading scorer.
After the match, Depay admitted: “The media have been focusing a lot on these records, but as a forward, it’s my job to score goals and provide assists. I’m very proud to have achieved this milestone. It’s an honour, and I feel truly proud to have set a new record.”
Lewandowski Leads Poland Past Finland
In another match in the same group, Poland secured a convincing 3–1 home win over Finland, with star striker Robert Lewandowski getting on the scoresheet.
Following this round of fixtures, the Netherlands lead the table with three wins and one draw, collecting ten points. Poland, with three wins, one draw, and one loss, also has ten points but sits in second place. Finland, Lithuania, and Malta occupy the third, fourth, and fifth spots, respectively.
As the qualifiers progress, the competition in the European zone is becoming increasingly fierce. Yet, whether it was Germany’s strong response or Depay’s historic breakthrough, this round of matches provided memorable highlights.V
