Germany is back on track after a rapid turnaround in the World Cup qualifying campaign. Following a surprising early loss to Slovakia, they responded with a dominating 6-0 win over the same opponent on Monday, securing their spot for the upcoming World Cup in 2026.

This victory marks Germany’s 21st appearance in World Cup history, making them a consistent force in the tournament, despite missing the inaugural event in 1930 and being banned from the 1950 edition.

The Netherlands, another prominent football nation, also clinched their World Cup spot, unbeaten in their group after a decisive 4-0 victory against Lithuania, ensuring they finished ahead of Poland in group standings.

In related news, the playoff spots are still up for grabs as Slovakia and Poland will compete for qualification. Other European teams like England, France, Portugal, Croatia, and Norway have already secured their places for the World Cup.

Handling the Pressure

After suffering a shocking defeat to Slovakia earlier, Germany needed to come back strong to avoid further embarrassment. They achieved this with a fierce performance in Leipzig, driven by players like Leroy Sane who netted two goals along with contributions from Woltemade and Gnabry. In the latter half, substitutes Ridle Baku and debutant Assan Ouédraogo sealed the win.

The Germans have historically been a dominant presence in World Cup tournaments, though the last two editions saw them exit during the group stages, a situation they are eager to rectify.

Netherlands’ Triumph

The Netherlands is eyeing the World Cup trophy after their 2022 quarterfinal loss to Argentina. Their victory against Lithuania not only confirms their qualification but also showcases their strong offensive capabilities, highlighted by players like Cody Gakpo, Tijjani Reijnders, Xavi Simons, and Donyell Malen.

This announcement comes as anticipation builds for the upcoming World Cup, with the remaining spots being finalized soon.