Germany, Slovakia in a straight shootout for top spot
Germany and Slovakia are involved in a straight shootout for top spot in Group A, with the two teams set to lock horns today, for a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier.
A win or a draw for Die Mannschaft would see them finish first and advance to next summer’s tournament, but their visitors would snatch top spot if they manage to record a huge victory in Leipzig.
Germany will enter today’s clash off the back of a 2-0 victory over Luxembourg, who are top of Group A on 12 points.
Julian Nagelsmann‘s side are far from comfortable, though, as they are only ahead of second-placed Slovakia on goal difference, with both teams winning four and losing one of their five games in the section.
Germany were beaten 2-0 by Slovakia in their section opener but have since posted four straight wins, twice beating Northern Ireland and Luxembourg, but this will be a tough test.
DFB-Team have won the World Cup on four previous occasions, but they have been knocked out in the group stage in their last two participations in the tournament.
Germany are confirmed in the top two and would qualify for next summer’s World Cup in first if they avoid defeat in this match, but a win for Slovakia would mean that Nagelsmann’s side must enter the playoffs.
Slovakia are also confirmed in the top two, and they will qualify as group winners with a victory over Germany, otherwise the national side will face the playoffs.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Netherlands host Lithuania in their final Group G game
Barring the disaster of all disasters, the Netherlands will earn a direct ticket to the World Cup 2026 tournament when they host Lithuania in their final Group G game today.
Ronald Koeman‘s men are three points clear at the top of the section following Friday’s 1-1 draw with Poland, while their visitors are fighting for the consolation of a fourth-placed finish.
Dutch hopes of automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup were delayed rather than destroyed on Friday evening, where victory over Poland would have seen Oranje confirm a first-placed finish with a game to spare.
However, Koeman’s men had to do it the hard way just to secure a share of the spoils in Warsaw, where Jakub Kaminski broke the deadlock with two minutes to go until half time, before Memphis Depay coincidentally levelled matters two minutes into the second half.
Poland’s resolve means that the Netherlands can mathematically still be bumped down to second place on the final day, but for that scenario to occur, a fanciful set of circumstances must unfold given that Koeman’s men are three points clear of the Eagles.
Not only would the Netherlands have to lose to Lithuania at home, Poland would have to make up a 13-strong goal difference in their match with Malta, so Netherlands supporters can surely rest easy ahead of today.
Excluding their penalty-shootout loss to Spain in the UEFA Nations League, Koeman’s men have gone over a year without suffering defeat in any competition.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Malta need a miracle against Poland
Needing a miracle in Malta to qualify automatically for World Cup 2026, Poland head to the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali for their final Group G fixture today.
The Eagles remain three points behind the Netherlands following Friday’s 1-1 draw, while their hosts have already been eliminated from contention.
Winning in Warsaw would have blown Group G wide open for Poland on Friday night, when the Eagles found themselves three points adrift of the Netherlands both before and after kickoff, having had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Ronald Koeman’s men.
Poland’s stalemate with Oranje has almost certainly just delayed the Netherlands’ advancement to North America, as not only are Jan Urban‘s men three points behind in second place, they also boast a significantly inferior goal difference of +6 compared to the leaders’ +19.
As a result, Poland will only overtake the Netherlands and finish first if they beat Malta, if Koeman’s side suffer a shock home loss to Lithuania, and if there is a 13-goal swing in their favour on Monday – a surely impossible set of circumstances.
However, as Urban’s men are also four points better off than Finland, they will advance to the playoffs at the very worst, and a five-game unbeaten run in all tournaments at least gives the visitors a solid foundation to build on in 2026.
While Poland’s World Cup journey will continue regardless of what happens on tonight, minnows Malta have already been condemned to their fate and are still yearning for a first-ever appearance at a major international tournament.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Montenegro welcome Croatia in Group L
Montenegro will welcome Croatia to the Podgorica City Stadium today for their final Group L fixture in the UEFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
The hosts are hoping to end a difficult campaign on a positive note, while the already-qualified visitors look to round off their dominant run in style.
Montenegro’s World Cup qualifying campaign has been defined by inconsistency and defensive fragility, with the hosts currently sitting fourth in the standings.
They have amassed nine points from three victories and four defeats, but their concerning goal difference of minus eight, with six scored and 14 conceded highlighting the defensive issues that have repeatedly cost them points.
Home form at Podgorica has offered some encouragement, with Montenegro winning two of their three qualifiers on home soil.
Montenegro enter this fixture after a morale-boosting 2-1 comeback win away to Gibraltar, a result that brought some relief after a largely disappointing qualifying campaign.
Croatia, meanwhile, have been the dominant force in the group, remaining unbeaten with six wins and one draw from seven matches.
With 19 points, they became the 30th nation to secure their ticket to the 2026 finals – their seventh World Cup appearance.
Croatia have been dominant throughout this qualifying cycle and possess far greater quality in every area of the pitch.
While Montenegro’s home advantage may help them stay competitive early on, Dalic’s side should ultimately have too much firepower and control, making a comfortable away victory the most likely outcome.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
FIXTURES
Group A
Northern Ireland 19:45 Luxembourg
Group G
Group L
Czech Republic 19:45 Gibraltar
