After stunning Germany 2–0 in their opening qualifying clash, Slovakia knew repeating that result on German soil would be a monumental task. Fortunately for them, a playoff place was already guaranteed, which proved a small consolation on a night dominated by the four-time world champions.

Germany, determined to avoid any late qualification drama, took control early and struck first in the 18th minute. Nick Woltemade found space unmarked and guided a precise header from Joshua Kimmich’s cross beyond Martin Dúbravka to give the hosts the lead.

The Slovak goalkeeper temporarily kept the scoreline respectable with a smart save in a one-on-one against Serge Gnabry, but the winger made amends moments later. Leon Goretzka split the defence with a clever through ball and Gnabry reacted quickest to poke home Germany’s second.

The hosts refused to ease off and effectively settled the contest before half-time with two more clinical finishes. Sané, making his first appearance of this qualifying cycle, rewarded Nagelsmann’s faith when he latched onto a pass and slotted confidently past Dúbravka. Just five minutes later, Florian Wirtz won possession brilliantly and delivered a deft back-post cross, which Sané hammered in to secure his brace and send Germany into the break 4–0 ahead.

Sané nearly completed a hat-trick shortly after the restart, but his strike from an indirect free-kick took a deflection off Ivan Schranz and bounced wide. Germany’s intensity dipped for a spell, though fresh legs restored their attacking spark. Substitute Ridle Baku added the fifth, drilling inside the near post for his first Germany goal in more than four years after linking up with Gnabry.

The sixth arrived in memorable fashion: debutant Assan Ouédraogo needed less than two minutes to mark his senior international bow with a goal, sweeping in from Sané’s lay-off and matching Slovakia’s heaviest-ever defeat margin.

The visitors at least prevented Germany from inflicting their record loss outright, but they will need to regroup quickly ahead of the playoffs as they chase a second-ever World Cup finals appearance as an independent nation.

Germany, meanwhile, can begin preparing for North America in 2026, where they will aim to claim world football’s biggest prize for a record-equalling fifth time.