Germany and Netherlands Secure World Cup Spots with Dominant Wins
Image Source: Internet
Germany has ensured its 21st World Cup appearance in 23 editions, maintaining its proud record of never missing the tournament. The four-time champion completed its comeback from a disappointing start to group play with a 6-0 thrashing of Slovakia on Monday. Germany's recovery was marked by five consecutive wins, including the crushing defeat of Slovakia in Leipzig. The Netherlands, a long-standing rival of Germany, also secured its spot in the 2026 World Cup with an unbeaten record. A 4-0 win over Lithuania saw the Dutch finish ahead of Poland, securing their place in the tournament alongside England, France, Portugal, Croatia, and Norway. Slovakia and Poland will enter the playoffs, with the draw for the competition set to take place on Thursday. Germany's qualification marked a remarkable turnaround, having lost 2-0 to Slovakia in the first round of matches. However, the team responded with five straight wins, including the heavy defeat of Slovakia. Germany has a rich World Cup history, having won the tournament in 1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014. The Netherlands, meanwhile, has been runner-up three times – in 1974, 1978, and 2010. The team will look to claim its first World Cup trophy at the 2026 tournament, which will be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
