Germany Lose Opening World Cup Qualifier As Spain Cruise

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Germany’s opening World Cup qualifier on Thursday saw them suffer a shock 2-0 defeat, while Spain opened the year’s title defense with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bulgaria.

Just before half-time against Germany in Bratislava, Atletico Madrid’s David Hancko untracked into the penalty box to give Slovakia the lead.

Ten minutes into the second half, David Strelec, who has just signed for Middlesbrough in the English Championship, brilliantly fired into the top corner.

Slovakia’s first World Cup appearance since 2010 is assured by the outcome, which gives them a first-class start in Group A.

On September 4, 2025, Germany’s midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz (L), Slovakia’s midfielder #08 Ondrej Duda, and Slovakia’s #22 Stanislav Lobotka play for the ball in a first-round football match between Slovakia and Germany in the World Cup qualifiers Europe zone group A in Bratislava. (Photo by Joe Klamar/AFP)

Germany, in contrast, are immediately under pressure, despite the fact that this group match appears to be their hardest-fought match so far.

After losing both of their matches in the UEFA Nations League Final Four against Portugal and France in June, Julian Nagelsmann’s team kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign.

When they take on Northern Ireland on Tuesday, they must now act quickly while Luxembourg is their other four-team teammate.

Only the group winners advance to the North American finals with 48 teams.

Jamie Reid, Shea Charles, and Justin Devenny scored the goals for Northern Ireland in Luxembourg, 3-1.

Aiman Dardari’s equalizer put the hosts in front before the break, but Seid Korac’s second-half red card put an end to their chances of winning the game.

Spain, the reigning champion of Europe, had few issues with their Group E match against Bulgaria in Sofia. They lost in June to Portugal in the Nations League final.

On September 4, 2025, during the Bulgarian-Slovak international football matches in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E European qualification, Serbia’s No. 10 midfielder Radoslav Kirilov and No. 19 forward Lamine Yamal battling for the ball at the Vassil Levski stadium in Sofia, Bulgaria’s No. 10 and No. 19 Lamine Yamal fight for the ball. (Photo by Nikolay DOYCHINOV/AFP)

Within five minutes, Mikel Oyarzabal scored a skillful finish from a Martin Zubimendi pass, and Marc Cucurella put together a superb second goal.

After Lamine Yamal’s third goal, Mikel Merino scored it after 38 minutes.

Belgium wins, Netherlands wins,

Turkey, who fought back from a Georgian comeback to defeat Spain 3-2 in Tbilisi, will play their next game away.

Turkey appeared to be cruising after Mert Muldur’s opening goal was met by Kerem Akturkoglu’s two goals either side of half-time.

However, Zuriko Davitashvili pulled one back, sending Baris Alper Yilmaz to the visitors’ penalty.

In stoppage time, Turkey held on for the victory, going up to 3:32 with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Despite having a lead through Denzel Dumfries in the first half, the Netherlands were held to a 1-1 draw by Poland in Group G Rotterdam.

The Dutch still lead the group with seven points, having already won both Poland and Finland on goal difference, and have a game in hand thanks to Matty Cash’s ferocious late strike.

In the same group, Lithuania and Malta both scored penalties to draw 1-1.

Maxim De Cuyper opened the scoring for Belgium against Liechtenstein with a 6-0 win over the minnows.

Arthur Theate, Kevin De Bruyne, and Malick Fofana also scored, with Youri Tielemans scoring twice, including a penalty.