Germany’s Nick Woltemade hopes for 2026 World Cup spot after scoring again

LEIPZIG – Nick Woltemade said that he hoped to have done enough to book his 2026 World Cup place after scoring again in Germany’s 6-0 win over Slovakia in Leipzig on Nov 17.

“We’re relieved. It’s a great moment,” the Newcastle United striker said after the Germans secured qualification to the tournament in North America next summer.

“I’m playing, I’m scoring goals and I’m hopefully playing at the World Cup.”

He opened the scoring, with Leroy Sane bagging a brace and Serge Gnabry, Ridle Baku and Assan Ouedraogo all getting on the score sheet.

Woltemade, 23, has four goals in his past three Germany games.

Starting his career at Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga, he made his international debut in June at the Uefa Nations League.

With Germany missing several attackers including Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Tim Kleindienst and Niclas Fullkrug, Woltemade has made himself indispensible to coach Julian Nagelsmann.

“I find it hard to explain – it’s always great to be able to play for Germany,” he told ZDF. “I went through all the youth teams and now I’m with the senior team.”

The performance was the latest in the rapid rise for the 1.98m striker, who moved from Germany’s VfB Stuttgart to English Premier League side Newcastle in the summer for a reported fee of €75 million (S$114 million).

“Every player played well today and worked like a dog,” Nagelsmann said.

“We showed incredible team spirit and pushed ourselves on the pitch from the very beginning.

“For many of us, it’ll be our first World Cup. For me, it’s the first. It’s a very meaningful tournament in football and I’m looking forward to it.”

The Netherlands also went on a goal spree, overcoming Lithuania 4-0 in Amsterdam, as they wrapped up World Cup qualification in their last European group match.

Slovakia finished second in Group A behind Germany. Poland, who survived a scare to win 3-2 in Malta, ended up second to the Dutch in Group G.

Second spot secures a place in the 16-team European play-offs in March.

Ronald Koeman’s Dutch team entertained the 50,000 spectators at the Johan Cruyff Arena as their high-tempo play constantly pinned Lithuania back in their own half.

Tijjani Reijnders gave the hosts an early lead, but the visiting defence and a spectacular first-half display by goalkeeper Edvinas Gertmonas held the Dutch at bay until the 58th minute, when Cody Gakpo added a second from the penalty spot.

Xavi Simons and Donyell Malen struck in the next four minutes, allowing Koeman to bring on five substitutes.

The coach, though, wants to see improvement from his side.

“We’re not done yet; it’s not like we’re going to play a fantastic World Cup already. The bad moments have to go,” he said.

“But I don’t see many teams that are always better than us, because we’ve proved that too.

“But we have to be more stable in those moments.”

In Malta, Poland were given a scare on the way to a win which ultimately did not lift them out of second place.

Robert Lewandowski, whose unhappiness at a reduced role in the team led to a coaching change earlier in the campaign, gave the Poles the lead after 32 minutes.

Irvin Cardona replied for the home side four minutes later.

Lewandowski then set up Pawel Wszolek after 59 minutes, but the game had an unexpected twist with Malta equalising in the 68th minute through Teddy Teuma’s penalty.

But Piotr Zielinski’s long-range strike flew in off a post after 85 minutes to give Poland victory.

“In the first half, we played too statically, not only in defence but also in attack,” said Poland captain Lewandowski. “It wasn’t our standard game, but we won anyway.” AFP, REUTERS