Nick Woltemade brace downs Luxembourg to keep Germany on track for FIFA World Cup 2026

Germany moved a step closer to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 after Nick Woltemade's second-half brace secured all three points in Luxembourg on Friday.

Luxembourg 0-2 Germany
Goals: 0-1 Woltemade 49' (assist: Sané), 0-2 Woltemade 69' (assist: Baku)

Germany rode their luck at times in the first half, with St. Pauli and Luxembourg forward Danel Sinani a constant thorn in their side. He twice went close to breaking the deadlock, shooting wide and then forcing a strong save from Oliver Baumann.

Augsburg’s Aiman Dardari also threatened for the hosts, who had lost all four of their previous group fixtures.

Germany’s clearest opening fell the way of Florian Wirtz, who was denied by Luxembourg goalkeeper Anthony Moris with the contest just nine minutes old.

Germany found the going tough against a tenacious Luxembourg in a goalless first half. - IMAGO/Matthias Koch

Newcastle United's Woltemade made his first chance stick soon after the restart when he converted following a smart run and cross from Leroy Sané. 

Luxembourg almost equalised within minutes as Sinani cleared the angle of post and bar with a well-struck shot from the left. An even more presentable opening fell the way of Christopher Martins with over an hour gone, but he failed to make the desired connection with a cross into the six-yard area.

Luxembourg’s comeback hopes were dealt a decisive blow in the 69th minute. Sané led the charge once again, this time finding RB Leipzig’s Ridle Baku. He released Woltemade, who fired a cool first-time finish beyond the goalkeeper for 2-0.

Sané fired narrowly over and Moris thwarted substitute Felix Nmecha late on as Germany recorded a fourth straight qualifying win. As long as they avoid defeat to second-placed Slovakia in Leipzig on 17 November, Julian Nagelsmann's team will secure their place at next summer's World Cup finals.

Match stats

• Germany's shock defeat in Slovakia earlier this year remains their only ever loss in 55 World Cup qualifiers on the road.
• Woltemade has three goals in seven senior internationals.
• Nagelsmann’s record over his first 27 matches as Germany head coach reads: W15, D6, L6.
• Germany have a perfect record of five wins in competitive meetings with Luxembourg. They’ve also won eight of nine friendlies (L1).
• Injured Germany captain Joshua Kimmich scored twice in the reverse fixture - his ninth and 10th goals in 105 senior international appearances.
• Uncapped Germany seniors Saïd El Mala and Assan Ouédraogo (both 19) were unused substitutes.

Teams

Luxembourg: Moris - Jans (c), Carlson, Korac, Bohnert (M. Martins 46') - O. Thill (Cruz 71'), C. Martins (Curci 79'), Olesen (Embalo 79'), Barreiro - Sinani, Dardari (S. Thill 88')
Unused subs: Pereira, Fox, Moreira, Avdusinovic, Muratovic, Veiga, Selimovic, Dzogovic
Out: Mahmutovic (unknown)
Coach: Jeff Strasser

Germany: Baumann - Baku, Tah (Thiaw 79'), Anton, Raum - Goretzka (Nmecha 54'), Pavlović - Gnabry (Schade 66'), Wirtz, Sané (Leweling 79') - Woltemade
Unused subs: Nübel, Dahmen, Kimmich, Ouédraogo, Burkardt, El Mala, Schlotterbeck, Brown
Out: Amiri (adductors), Füllkrug (calf), Havertz (knee), Musiala (ankle), Rüdiger (hamstring)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

As it happened!

0 - 2

(0 - 0)

Luxembourg

FINAL

Germany

FIFA World Cup
Qualifying, Group A Qualifying, Group A Stade de Luxembourg

Full-time: Luxembourg 0-2 Germany

After an unconvincing first 45, Germany managed to up their game and find two goals, both of which were well taken by Nick Woltemade. The hosts continued to test them in the second half, but their persistance faded as a result of Germany's goals. Nevertheless, it was a brilliant performance from Luxembourg, who can feel hard done by not to come away with anything.

© IMAGO/kolbert-press/Martin Agüera

Full-time

90'

+ 2

Nmecha hits one

The BVB man fires a ferocious strike at goal from just outside the area but Moris is equal to it, tipping it over the bar.

90'

Added time

We'll have four more minutes of play at the end of this game.

88'

Substitution

Sebastien Thill

Aiman Dardari

88'

Offside

Schade gets in behind and rounds the 'keeper, before crossing back into the centre toward Leweling. Luxembourg clear just in time, but the linesman eventually raises his flag anyway.

85'

Final push

Germany have now pushed the hosts back into their own area and are looking for a third before the end of play.

82'

Woltemade almost with a hat-trick!

He almost gets his toe on the end of a Raum free-kick, but instead sees the ball bounce out of play.

80'

Substitution

Alessio Curci

Christopher Martins

80'

Substitution

Jamie Leweling

Leroy Sané

80'

Substitution

Malick Thiaw

Jonathan Tah

79'

Substitution

Adulai Embalo

Mathias Olesen

74'

Settled down

Having now doubled their lead, Germany have become more composed with their passing, while Luxembourg appear deflated having performed so well without reward.

71'

Substitution

Tomas Cruz

Olivier Thill

Woltemade gets his brace! 2-0!

Germany break away with Sané, who then finds Baku slightly in-field. Baku turns and threads a through ball into the path of Woltemade, who finishes first-time past Moris.

© IMAGO/kolbert-press/Martin Agüera

69'

Nick Woltemade

GOAL!

0:2

68'

Yellow card

Daniel Sinani

66'

Substitution

Kevin Schade

Serge Gnabry

65'

Huge miss!

A cross from the right finds C. Martins just yards away from goal, but with only Baumann to beat, he manages to direct his effort out for a goal-kick.

61'

Baku's wild finish

Raum rampages forward before feeding Baku on the edge of the area. He has plenty of space and Sané to his right, but instead fires a shot high and wide.

60'

Yellow card

Seid Korac

60'

Little change

Despite getting the opening goal, little has changed regarding the flow of the game, with Germany still looking nervy in possession.

55'

Yellow card

Jonathan Tah

55'

Goreztka makes way

After escaping punishment for a dangerous challenge, Goretzka is replaced by Felix Nmecha.

54'

Substitution

Felix Nmecha

Leon Goreztka

51'

Almost an instant response!

The ball falls to Dardari on the left side on the box, but he puts his low, driven effort wide of the far post. Great chance!

Woltemade opens the scoring!

Leroy Sané finds the Newcastle man with a low cross, which Woltemade stabs home with his outstretched right boot into the bottom corner.

© Alexander Hassenstein

49'

Nick Woltemade

GOAL!

0:1

46'

The action returns

And the hosts make one change following their impressive first-half showing, with Marvin Martins joining the action in place of Florian Bohnert.

46'

Substitution

Marvin Martins

Florian Bohnert

Kick-off!

Half-time

Half-time: Luxembourg 0-0 Germany

While Germany have so far failed to get out of the blocks, the hosts have been mightily impressive. They've tested Baumann and put the Germany defence on the backfoot on numerous occasions, while the visitors have only created a handful of half-chances.

© IMAGO/kolbert-press/Martin Agüera

40'

Yellow card

Florian Bohnert

40'

Wirtz wiggles through

He cuts in from the left, beating three defenders in the process before seeing his shot deflected into the hands of Moris in goal.

37'

Wasted chance

A lofted pass over the defence from Goretzka finds Gnabry, but his touch takes him wide and away from goal, allowing the hosts to recover.

35'

No way through

Germany are back on the ball, but can't break down Luxembourg's stubborn defence.

31'

Yellow card

Leon Goretzka

30'

Almost a wondergoal!

Sinani's in-swinging corner almost bends in under Baumann's crossbar, but the experienced shot-stopper manages to tip it over the bar for another corner.

28'

Wirtz next to try his luck

He drives into the box from the left before blazing a shot over the bar from a good position.

26'

Gnabry almost slots it home!

After a cut-back from Baku the ball lands at the feet of Gnabry, who takes two shots at goal. The first is blocked and the second flies just past the far post.

21'

Sinani from distance

He lets one fly toward goal, aiming for Baumann's near post, which the Germany 'keeper palms around the post.

18'

Dardari inches away!

The Augsburg man drives at the defence from the left-hand side, before cutting inside and arrowing a shot toward the bottom corner, which only just goes wide!

17'

Luxembourg on the offensive

Germany aren't having as much control as they'd like to so far, with the hosts causing plenty of problems so far.

12'

Anton tests Moris

An in-swinging free-kick finds Anton's head and his effort drops just under the crossbar, but Moris is there to catch it.

11'

Big chance for Sinani

A cut-back cross from the byline finds the St. Pauli forward at the front post and only a few yards from goal, but he can't direct his effort goalward under pressure.

9'

Wirtz goes close!

Goretzka intercepts a pass in midfield before driving forward and feeding Wirtz on the edge of the box. The Liverpool midfielder manages to force the 'keeper into a save, which goes out for a corner.

5'

Visitors probing

Now with a sustained spell of possession in the final third, Germany are beginning to look like a threat.

3'

Early scare for Germany

The hosts almost bundle their way into the penalty area after persistent play from C. Martins, but Germany clear their lines in time.

1'

We're underway!

The ball is rolling here in Luxembourg.

Kick-off!

Waiting in the wings

Youngsters Assan Ouédraogo and Said El Mala will be desperate to make their Germany debuts tonight, having each enjoyed sizzling starts to the Bundesliga season. Today could be the perfect opportunity for them, with Germany having a spotless record against Luxembourg.

© IMAGO/Eibner-Pressefoto/Alexander Neis

More on those teams

Luxembourg make two changes from the 4-0 loss in October, with Enes Mahmutovic, who isn't in today's squad, and Tomas Cruz making way for Daniel Sinani and Olivier Thill. Germany make three changes from that win, with Leroy Sané, Waldemar Anton and Ridle Baku coming in for Karim Adeyemi, Nico Schlotterbeck and captain Joshua Kimmich, who moves to the bench as a result of injury.

© Alexander Hassenstein

Luxembourg starting lineup

Moris - Jans (c), Korac, Carlson, Bohnert - O. Thill, C. Martins, Olesen, L. Martins - Sinani, Dardari

Luxembourg subs

Avdusinovic, Cruz, M. Martins, Embalo, Selimovic, Muratovic, S. Thill, Curci, Veiga, Fox, Pereira Cardoso, Dzogovic

Germany starting lineup

Baumann - Baku, Anton, Tah (c), Raum - Pavlovic, Goretzka - Sané, Wirtz, Gnabry - Woltemade

Germany subs

Dahmen, Nmecha, El Mala, Schlotterbeck, Brown, Leweling, Thiaw, Kimmich, Burkardt, Schade, Nübel, Ouédraogo

Fürth midfielder Olesen on tonight's clash

"I'm really looking forward to it - we're playing against one of the best teams in the world. I know a lot of the Bundesliga lads from my time with Cologne. We want to be tough to play against and make their lives as difficult as possible."

© DFL/Getty Images/Sebastian Widmann

Luxembourg boss Strasser on facing Germany

"All the players are physically and mentally fit. First and foremost, we'll need to withstand the pressure from our opponents longer than we did in Sinsheim [in October]. We also want to play higher up the pitch. We weren't planning on playing so deep last time - the early red card threw a spanner in the works."

© IMAGO/Ben Majerus

Woltemade on keys to beating Luxembourg

"We have to defend and attack as a team, and be creative. We have creative players in our ranks who can find solutions and have a good feel for space. We have been very good defensively in recent games. It'd be good to start being bold in attack again."

© Charles McQuillan

Who will replace Schlotti?

Schlotterbeck is another confirmed absentee, with either Dortmund teammate Waldemar Anton or Newcastle United's Malick Thiaw set to deputise alongside Tah. "We'll see who plays. Both can do it, even if they have slightly different profiles."

Tah-da!

With Kimmich ruled out, Bayern teammate Jonathan Tah will captain Germany later today. "He's having an excellent season and deserves it," said Nagelsmann.

© IMAGO/Franziska Gora

World Cup field taking shape

So far, England and France are the only European nations to have sealed their place at next year's World Cup. A number could join them over the weekend, including Ralf Rangnick's Austria and a Norway outfit spearheaded by ex-Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.

One-sided record

The four-time world champions have a perfect record of four wins in competitive meetings with Luxembourg. They've also won eight of nine friendlies (L1).

A rare blot to the copybook

Germany's shock defeat in Slovakia earlier this year remains their only ever loss in 54 World Cup qualifiers on the road.

Kimmich out!

Bad news from the Germany camp today as captain Joshua Kimmich has been ruled out of the game against Luxembourg through an ankle injury. The Bayern Munich man will travel with his teammates and it's yet to be seen whether he could still feature against Slovakia next week.

© IMAGO/Sven Heidmann

Nagelsmann on World Cup qualification hopes

"We're not dependent on other results - only on our own performance. Despite a poor start, we've earned ourselves a solid position in the group. Now we have to keep building on that. The players have just come through an intense period and have played a lot of games. We want to work our way into the matches through defending as a unit and we also need to be more dangerous in attack than we were in the October games."

© IMAGO/Herbertz / Nico Herbertz

Nagelsmann on facing Luxembourg

"We know they can play and cause us problems if we don’t give it everything we’ve got. We can't afford any more slip-ups – we've already had one [against Slovakia]. We have to win both games and cannot underestimate either opponent.

© DANIEL ROLAND

Nagelsmann on Germany's up-and-comers

"[Saïd] El Mala isn’t an established national team player yet, but he has the chance to show what he can do in training - it’s very hard to judge players based only on scouting. There are also other players who could be interesting for us, like Lennart Karl, Assan Ouedraogo, or Nicolo Tresoldi. It’s about different types of player that we don’t necessarily already have in the squad. Lennart is doing well at Bayern, but he first has to go through the U21s and ideally take on a leading role there."

© IMAGO/BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Wunderl

Raum on the competition at left-back

"In recent years, there's been a lot of talk about problems at full-back – especially on the left. Now we almost have a luxury problem. With Maximilian Mittelstädt, Nathaniel Brown, and myself, we have three players on the left who bring real quality. The competition is good and pushes us."

© IMAGO/Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images

Raum on Ouédraogo's call-up

"He deserves the nomination. A few weeks ago I already spoke to him about it and, after his strong performances for the U21s, told him that he could soon be with us as well. At that time he smiled."

© IMAGO/Picture Point / Roger Petzsche

RB Leipzig duo on media duties

Leipzig captain David Raum and Ridle Baku answered questions from the press during Tuesday's press conference.

© IMAGO/Michael Taeger

0:36

Watch: The legend of Philipp Lahm

Happy Birthday, Philipp Lahm!

Today, the Bayern Munich and Germany legend turns 42. The full-back and midfielder remains is one of the greatest players to represent Bayern and the national side, winning several Bundesliga titles, the UEFA Champions League and the 2014 FIFA World Cup during an illustrious career.

© 2017 DFL

Nagelsmann on the importance of squad selection

"We need a good balance in the squad and we want to have every position covered by two players. The form and the team structure have to be right. But the most important thing is that we are convinced we can get six points with this squad and qualify for the World Cup."

© IMAGO/Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images

1:05

Watch: Germany arrive for international duty

The squad checked into their hotel in Wolfsburg on Monday and met with fans before their World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Slovakia.

Schlotterbeck a doubt

Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck picked up a knock in his side's 1-1 draw with Hamburg at the weekend. Although the defender managed to play through the pain and finish the match, Nagelsmann said in a press conference on Monday that Schlotterbeck's eligibility for selection against Luxembourg will be a race against time, revealing: "overnight [his ankle] has swollen quite a bit - it doesn’t look great".

© IMAGO/Oliver Ruhnke

3:37

Watch: Teenagers taking their chance

El Mala and Ouédraogo are just two of the young guns lighting up the Bundesliga so far this season.

Another teen sensation in fold

Nineteen-year-old Leipzig midfield talent Assan Ouédraogo was called up to the squad on Monday to replace the injured Nadiem Amiri. Nagelsmann said: "Assan is doing very well at the moment in the Bundesliga. He is a promising young player, similar to El Mala, who we would like to see in training."

© RONNY HARTMANN

2:03

Watch: El Mala on target against Hamburg

His late effort made it four goals and one assist for the 19-year-old in the Bundesliga this season.

And new ones too

Meanwhile, Cologne teenager Saïd El Mala has been rewarded for some electric performances at club level with a maiden call-up. El Mala was joint-top scorer at the UEFA U19 Euros 2025 (four goals) and is now given his chance to impress for the seniors.

© IMAGO/Malte Ossowski/Sven Simon

Familiar faces

Augsburg's Aiman Dardari - pictured, scoring his country's only World Cup 2026 qualifying goal so far - is joined in the squad by fellow Germany-based squad members Eldin Dzogovic (Magdeburg), Mathias Olesen (Greuther Fürth), Tiago Pereira Cardoso (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Danel Sinani (St. Pauli).

© IMAGO/Ben Majerus

Previous meeting: Germany 4-0 Luxembourg

Captain Joshua Kimmich scored twice in October's reverse fixture, with efforts from David Raum and Serge Gnabry completing a comprehensive win. Germany will be hoping for more of the same at the Luxembourg Stadium this week.

© Christian Kaspar-Bartke

Qualification in their hands

With just two Group A fixtures to play, Germany lead Slovakia at the summit on goal difference. It means victory over Luxembourg and at home to Slovakia (17 November) will send the four-time World Cup winners to next summer's tournament but Nagelsmann's charges cannot afford any slip-ups over the final two matchdays.

© IMAGO/Gladys Chai von der Laage

Welcome!

A very warm welcome to bundesliga.com's live coverage of Germany's FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Luxembourg on Friday night (kick-off: 8.45pm CET). A win puts Julian Nagelsmann's visitors on the brink of qualification, while anything in the favour of the so-far pointless hosts would make for a remarkable upset.