Perhaps keen to exact some revenge for the shock loss in Bratislava or just distinctly aware that a win in Leipzig would make for a more manageable World Cup group when the draw is made in early December, Germany played their final game of 2025 like they were already at the football tournament in North America.

Fluid and ferocious from the start, Germany delivered their best performance of the campaign. Such was their dominance that their 4-0 lead at the break could have been even bigger, and the final score of 6-0 was in no way flattering.

"We were creative, active. I think it was fun to watch us today," Nick Woltemade told ZDF afterwards.

 Woltemade's fourth goal in three games was followed by a goal made in Munich but scored by Serge Gnabry for Germany. The returning Leroy Sané continued his fine form and added two of his own, with the second the perfect example of Germany's intensity.

Florian Wirtz pressed hard down the left-hand side and won back the ball, with the assistance of Woltemade's strength. Wirtz then swung a ball in that Sané finished acrobatically at the far post. Germany just wouldn't let Slovakia out of their own half. Four goals in 45 minutes. The job was done. Christmas had come early for Germany and their fans. Ridle Baku and debutant Assan Ouédraogo's goals in the second half capped a scintillating display.

After an inconsistent campaign and a raft of squad changes since the summer, this was the performance that will surely have stoked the fires of head coach Julian Nagelsmann's World Cup ambitions.

"Every player had a great game," Nagelsmann said afterward. "We scored great goals and played convincing football. I'm proud of the team. There was a lot of pressure on us but the team spirit the lads showed was great. They really pushed each other."

Reasons for optimism

One fantastic night in Leipzig won't erase the wing-back weakness or whether the depth of this Germany squad is good enough. But it was a reminder that, much like former legend Thomas Müller used to do, this team is moving in the right direction at the right time.

Germany finished the campaign with four straight clean sheets. Woltemade's rapid rise to reliable goalscorer will encourage Nagelsmann, and surely have the injured Kai Havertz sweating. Oliver Baumann's performances have ended any conversation about a goalkeeper issue. The out-of-form Florian Wirtz looked to have rediscovered some of his joy, delivering two assists. And all of this without star player Jamal Musiala? There are clearly reasons to be optimistic.

"When the lads come back from injury, we'll have even more quality on top, and, if we play like we did today, then it doesn't matter whether they are ranked 46 in the world or are in the top 10, we can beat anyone," Nico Schlotterbeck said afterwards.

Ultimately, though, qualifying campaigns are fickle. Whilst they unfold, the importance of every decision and result is magnified. But as soon as you qualify, all of that fades away.

Germany have done what was expected of them. Now, focus will turn towards trying to achieve what they and their are fans are dreaming of, namely a fifth title.

Germany turn their attention to World Cup draw

Those dreams will start to become more tangible when the World Cup draw is made on December 5. Then Germany will find out who their opponents will be and in which part of which country their tournament will start.

The win in Leipzig meant top spot. It also meant Germany head into the draw in pot 1, eliminating the possibility of facing another top 10 team in the group stages. That might sound like a formality for the four-time world champions, but given their last two World Cups have ended in the group stages, any way of making their path to the knockouts easier is welcome.

Perhaps little more was welcome than this performance, though. Seventy percent of the ball and six goals to cap a performance of pure joy and flow. Germany's 2025 is over — let the conversation about their 2026 begin.

Edited by: Zac Crellin