The Germany men’s national team are in quite a good position in World Cup qualifying as we head towards the final round of matches. Julian Nagelsmann’s side travelled to Luxembourg and came away as 2-0 winners in front of 9,214 spectators. This win means they keep their position at the top of the group, going into what will be a direct shootout between themselves and Slovakia for the title of group winner on Monday.
Nick Woltemade scored his second (49’) and third (69’) goals for his country, helping his side claim all three points on the night. In the other Group A match, Slovakia found a way past Northern Ireland late on, meaning they remain level on points with Germany and only behind on goal difference.
Nagelsmann made three changes to the side that started against Northern Ireland during the last international break. Oliver Baumann started between the sticks, behind a backline of Ridle Baku at right-back, captain Jonathan Tah, Waldemar Anton and David Raum. Aleksander Pavlović and Leon Goretzka started as the two sixes, with Leroy Sané, Serge Gnabry and Florian Wirtz playing just ahead of them. Nick Woltemade stood up front as the focal point of the attack, completing the 4-2-3-1 formation.
##### Luxembourg prove a challenge from the start
The hosts proved quickly that they weren’t just going to roll over and let their neighbours have it all their own way. From the get-go, Luxembourg pressed relentlessly and made it difficult for the Germany side to find any rhythm in their build-up play. After winning possession, Goretzka found Wirtz, who saw his shot from just inside the box saved by Anthony Moris in the Luxembourg goal (9’). Two minutes later, Luxembourg found themselves with a fantastic chance. Leandro Barreiro dribbled to the byline before laying it off to Danel Sinani, who couldn’t direct his effort on target from close range. Down the other end, Anton tested Moris with a header from a free kick, however the keeper was equal to it (14’).
The home side began to show their attacking intent more after the opening exchanges. In the 18th minute, Aiman Dardari cut inside from the edge of the penalty area and whipped his shot just wide of the post. Baumann was then forced into action in the 21st minute, stopping a Sinani shot from ending up in the far corner. The Germans threatened again through Gnabry, but his shot struck Woltemade, before his follow-up flew past the goal (26’). Two minutes later, Wirtz tried to do it on his own with a solo run, but his finish was too high.
Before the break, Germany became more active, but against the now more compact Luxembourg, they found no way through to create dangerous chances. The hosts stayed strong and looked dangerous from set pieces. The first half ended goalless.
##### Woltemade nets a second-half brace
Luxembourg once again tried to disrupt the Germans early in the second half but could only keep them at bay for the first four minutes. Sané controlled a long ball well on the right wing and squared it into the centre of the box for Woltemade, who wrong-footed the goalkeeper and opened the scoring (49’). Luxembourg weren’t rattled by conceding at all and had another chance through a curling effort from Dardari just three minutes later. A collision between Goretzka and Barreiro got things a bit heated, with the Luxembourg bench calling for the Germany midfielder to be shown a second yellow card. Referee John Brooks stepped in to calm the situation, before Goretzka was substituted for Felix Nmecha (54’).
Germany took control of proceedings but struggled to create real chances from it. In the 65th minute, Christopher Martins headed just wide of the Germany goal. Kevin Schade became the second Germany substitution of the night, replacing Gnabry (66’). Once again, a long ball opened up space for Sané, who controlled it on the right side and passed to Baku. He played it to the onrushing Woltemade, who chipped the keeper to complete his brace (69’).
In the 78th minute, Sané once again caused chaos in the hosts’ penalty area. With plenty of space against the high Luxembourg defence, he danced his way through but sent his shot over the bar. Nagelsmann then made his final substitutions, bringing on Jamie Leweling and Malick Thiaw for his competitive debut, in place of Sané and Tah (79’). Germany then chose to see out their lead. In stoppage time, Nmecha fired another dangerous shot at goal, but Moris punched it over the crossbar (90+1’).
Next up, Germany will host Slovakia in Leipzig on Monday (17th November, 20:45 CET) in a battle for top spot in Group A.