World Cup 2026: Can Slovaks Make Lightning Strike Twice?

Germany vs Slovakia

Leipzig is the setting for a Monday night World Cup 2026 qualifier and it’s not just any old qualifier.

For Slovakia, the nation ranked 46^th in the world, have the chance to usurp the four-times World Champions Germany and book their place in the United States next summer.

Can I see them doing so? Probably not. But there again, they have delivered a series of World Cup qualifier 2025 highlights in recent months, including an historic victory over Die Mannschaft, so perhaps lightning can strike twice.

 

Talking Points

After failing to get out of the group stages at the last two World Cups, a most incredible scenario I witnessed the second time around, all the pressure and onus is on Germany.

Since then, my tip to win Euro 2024 on home turf saw their dream end in the quarter-finals against eventual winners Spain.

At the same tournament, Slovakia pulled off one of the biggest shocks when they saw off a star-studded Belgium line-up in Frankfurt and came within seconds of knocking England out at the last 16 stage.

For those reasons alone, they should not be written off as cannon fodder and are still in the hunt for automatic qualification following a last-gasp win over spirited Northern Ireland on Friday night. At the same time, Germany were edging past Luxembourg (their fourth straight qualifying success) to stay top of Group A on goal difference.

Neither side convinced too much in their outings but all that matters, particularly at this stage of a qualification campaign, is the result and both nations got the job done.

Julian Nagelsmann’s men, who only need a draw to seal top spot, remain without a number of important players through long-term injury, such as goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Antonio Rudiger, Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz.

They have no new injury doubts after their win over Luxembourg in which Newcastle frontman Nick Woltemade scored both in the second half.

Slovakia, who last reached the World Cup in 2010, will have David Strelec in their ranks, a player who has netted eight times in 34 appearances for his country.

Other well-known names include impressive goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, Milan Skriniar and left-back David Hancko who played a key role in their success over Germany just two months ago.

Germany, naturally have the edge talent wise but one suspects their desire to avenge their September reverse (which ended a proud qualifying record) will spur them on to claim what they require to seal automatic qualification and consign Slovakia to the play-off route.

 

History

I was quite shocked when I read that Slovakia have beaten Germany four times in their history. I was also quite taken aback when I remembered that they were 2-0 winners against them in September.

Hancko and Strelec scored in each half in Bratislava to stun their illustrious opponents and bring to an end an impressive record.

It was Germany’s first ever away defeat in a World Cup qualifying match – a record stretching back 52 matches.

Slovakia’s other three successes against the mighty Germans have all been in international friendlies, including their maiden encounter in August 1939, also in Bratislava (just before the outbreak of World War Two), when Jozef Luknar and Jan Arpas were the marksmen in another 2-0 win.

Until two months ago, Germany had won all their competitive contests, most notably in the last 16 at Euro 2016 when a Jerome Boateng piledriver opened the scoring before Mario Gomez scored from close range and Julian Draxler added the third with a volley to seal a 3-0 win in Lille.

Overall, the record stands at eight German successes and four Slovakia wins. There has yet to be a draw.

 

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP World Cup qualifier 2025 betting odds make the home side firm favourites. Germany are priced 1X2 @ 1.22 compared to Slovakia 1X2 @ 9.00.

With Asian Handicap options, you can back Germany -1.75 @ 1.91 and Slovakia +1.75 @ 1.99.

A first ever Draw is on offer @ 5.60 and a shock repeat of Slovakia’s 2-0 triumph in September, this time on German soil, would pay out at a whopping @ 90.00 with Correct Score 0-2.

A fair few goals are expected given you can get odds of Over 3.25 @ 2.08, Total Goal 2-3 @ 2.18 and 4-6 @ 2.49 compared to 0-1 @ 4.83.

It is tight at the top of Group A and I think this contest will be fairly tight but I’m backing Germany to prevail so my *** tip is Half Time Full Time Draw Home @ 4.57.

   

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