Germany on Thursday went down to a shock 2-0 defeat in Slovakia in their opening World Cup qualifier, while Spain kicked off their bid to reach next year’s finals with a comfortable 3-0 victory in Bulgaria.
Atletico Madrid’s David Hancko burst untracked into the penalty area to fire Slovakia into the lead just before halftime against Germany in Bratislava.
David Strelec, who has just signed for Middlesbrough in the English Championship, then made it two with a brilliant strike high into the top corner 10 minutes into the second half.
Photo: AFP
The result gives Slovakia a dream start in Group A as they attempt to qualify for a first World Cup since 2010.
Germany find themselves immediately under pressure even if this game was their hardest fixture in the group on paper.
“We haven’t had a great history in recent years, and we should have realized that if we want to go to the World Cup and play a good role. Today, we were miles away,” Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann said.
Germany have gone out of each of the past two World Cups in the group stage, but have never failed in a qualifying campaign.
“If we perform like we did today, we’ll definitely not qualify,” Germany captain Joshua Kimmich said.
Nagelsmann’s side came into the start of their World Cup qualifying campaign off the back of losing both of their matches in the UEFA Nations League in June, against Portugal and France.
They must now react quickly when they entertain Northern Ireland on Tuesday, with Luxembourg their other opponents in the four-team group.
Only the group winners qualify directly for the 48-team finals in North America.
Northern Ireland won 3-1 in Luxembourg, with Jamie Reid, Shea Charles and Justin Devenny scoring the goals.
The hosts had gone in on level terms at halftime thanks to an Aiman Dardari equalizer, but Seid Korac’s second-half red card ended their hopes of taking anything from the contest.
European champions Spain, who lost June’s Nations League final on penalties to Portugal, had few problems against Bulgaria in Sofia in Group E.
Mikel Oyarzabal produced an expert finish from a Martin Zubimendi pass to open the scoring inside five minutes and Marc Cucurella fired in a superb second on the half-hour.
Lamine Yamal then set up Mikel Merino for the third goal on 38 minutes and there was no further scoring.
“We’re happy, but we have to keep taking steps forward,” Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said.
Spain’s next game is away to Turkey, who staved off a Georgia comeback to win 3-2 in Tbilisi.
Mert Muldur’s early opener was followed by two goals either side of halftime by Kerem Akturkoglu and Turkey appeared to be cruising, but Zuriko Davitashvili pulled one back and the visitors had Baris Alper Yilmaz sent off.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia then made it 3-2 deep in stoppage-time, but Turkey held on for the victory.
The Netherlands were held to a 1-1 draw by Poland in Rotterdam in Group G, despite taking the lead in the first half through Denzel Dumfries.
Matty Cash equalized with a ferocious late strike to deny Ronald Koeman’s team, but the Dutch still the top the group on seven points — they lead Poland and Finland on goal-difference and also boast a game in hand.
Lithuania scored a penalty deep in stoppage-time to draw 1-1 with Malta in the same group.
Belgium walloped minnows Liechtenstein 6-0 away in Group J, with Maxim de Cuyper opening the scoring.
Youri Tielemans netted twice, including a penalty, while Arthur Theate, Kevin de Bruyne and Malick Fofana also struck.
That result leaves Belgium three points behind group leaders Wales with two games in hand. Craig Bellamy’s side won 1-0 in Kazakhstan earlier thanks to a Kieffer Moore goal.
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