Audio By Carbonatix
Germany suffered a surprise defeat away to Slovakia in their opening World Cup qualifier in Bratislava.
David Hancko gave the hosts the lead three minutes before half-time, running from his own half before playing a one-two with David Strelec, and finishing past visiting keeper Oliver Baumann.
Middlesbrough forward Strelec added the second when he bamboozled Antonio Rudiger 10 minutes after the restart with some tidy footwork before curling a shot into the top corner.
This was only the fourth World Cup qualifier Germany have ever lost.
Liverpool's Florian Wirtz and new Newcastle signing Nick Woltemade were both in Julian Nagelsmann's side, but the visitors were disappointing in attack.
Northern Ireland won 3-1 in Luxembourg in Group A's other game and visit Germany next on Sunday (19:45 BST).
The six four-team World Cup qualifying groups are starting this week, with six five-team groups having started earlier this year.
The top team from each group qualify for the World Cup, with the runners-up going into play-offs.
Elsewhere, Spain won 3-0 in Bulgaria in their opening Group E fixture with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal, Marc Cucurella and Mikel Merino.
In Group G, a late Matty Cash strike gave Poland a 1-1 draw away to the Netherlands, who opened the scoring through Denzel Dumfries.
And Belgium won 6-0 in Liechtenstein in Group J, with Wales beating Kazakhstan 1-0 earlier in the day.
Latest Stories
-
GPRTU announces a crackdown over illegal fare increases
34 seconds -
COPEC urges NPA to scrap fuel price floors to ease costs for consumers
9 minutes -
“Underestimate Dr Adutwum at your own risk” — Adutwum camp fires back at Bryan Achampong video
34 minutes -
The role of curriculum in transmitting societal values: Why NaCCA must be resourced and empowered
41 minutes -
Benin’s opposition loses all parliamentary seats, provisional results show
49 minutes -
New market report reveals 55% of Ghanaian jobs now demand a bachelor’s degree
52 minutes -
Aide to National Timber Monitoring Team boss arrested amid intensified crackdown on illegal logging
59 minutes -
Tension mounts in Akyem Akroso over plans to sell royal cemetery for supermarket project
59 minutes -
Fuel price floor protects consumers, safeguards industry sustainability – COMAC CEO
1 hour -
Ghana welcomes digital platform GHKonnect.com to connect businesses
1 hour -
Heads who shortchange students on meals will be sanctioned – Deputy Education Minister warns
1 hour -
Bryan Acheampong best placed to heal NPP divisions – Pious Hadzide
1 hour -
New QCC Employees Union National Chairman pledges fairness, unity and stronger worker protection
1 hour -
NAIMOS halts illegal mining activities along Kumasi-Sunyani highway
1 hour -
KMA boss announces settlement of ₵42m out of Assembly’s ₵142m judgment debt
2 hours
