Germany captain Joshua Kimmich said his side ‘wanted to send a message’ with Monday’s 6-0 thumping of Slovakia in Leipzig which sealed their progress to the 2026 World Cup. 

Leroy Sane struck twice (36th and 41st min), while Nick Woltemade (18th min), Serge Gnabry (29th min), Ridle Baku (67th min) and Assane Ouedrago (79th min) all got onto the scoresheet as Germany ended up winning Group A and booking a berth to next year’s showpiece event in the United States, Canada and Mexico.