Newcastle United star Nick Woltemade has created headlines in Germany for all the right reasons after shining for his national side once again
Nick Woltemade
Newcastle star Nick Woltemade is said to have saved Germany from embarrassment.
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Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade spared Germany's blushes on Friday night as his double helped them past Luxembourg. Julian Nagelsmann's side now only need a draw to secure their qualification for the World Cup next summer after the 23-year-old saved Die Mannschaft from embarrassment against the nation ranked 97th in the world.
The forward netted two second-half goals, including one just four minutes after the restart, to ensure that Germany will finish in the top two in their group phase. They sit level on points with Slovakia, who earned a last-gasp win over Northern Ireland, and face Francesco Calzona's side in the final match before club football resumes.
Woltemade has made a superb start to life in the Premier League since making his high-profile move from the Bundesliga. The attacker's big-money switch was scrutinised by senior figures at Stuttgart's rivals, Bayern Munich, after his snubbing the German giants.
He is now proving his importance on the international stage with his double ensuring that Slovakia didn't leapfrog them going into final qualifying match.
And he received rave reviews with the media in Germany labelling him their 'saviour' as pressure and scrutiny increased around the German head coach.
Kicker wrote that the encounter with Luxembourg was a "near disgrace" but highlighted Woltemade's importance as he staked his claim to be the starting forward at the World Cup next summer. They wrote: "Meanwhile, Woltemade (Newcastle), who scored twice, underlined his irreplaceable position up front."
FLZ Fränkische Landeszeitung claimed that Germany narrowly avoided a humiliating defeat to the minnows thanks to Woltemade's brace.
Sky Sports Germany and Sport 1 went down the same path and hailed Woltemade as the saviour in the contest.
Woltemade even received a glowing comparison to England's all-time goalscorer Harry Kane in Spiegel's player analysis. They wrote: "Tactically a Harry Kane lookalike: He was supposed to drop back to the left-sided central midfield position in the early stages to create space up front.
"But this tactic apparently hadn't sunk in with his teammates.
"He was repeatedly outmanoeuvred by Seid Korac. In the second half, however, he proved why he's still best suited to the front line.
"He converted two excellent passes in true centre-forward fashion – as dangerous in front of goal as a Harry Kane lookalike."
Woltemade has made a similar impact at Newcastle, netting six times in all competitions. The 23-year-old will be hopeful of adding to that tally when Eddie Howe's men return to action against Manchester City next weekend.
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