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Julian Nagelsmann revealed that he did not shout at his players after a lacklustre first-half performance against Luxembourg, as the manager claimed that the squad could not have handled being attacked at that point. Germany eventually clinched the tie 2-0 thanks to a brace from Newcastle forward Nick Woltemade as they continued to remain favourites to seal a direct World Cup berth from Group A.

• Germany edged out Luxembourg

  Four-time world champions Germany survived an unsettling evening on Friday as Nick Woltemade's brace proved decisive in a match that will raise far more questions than it answers for Nagelsmann. A 2-0 win over minnows Luxembourg was ultimately enough to keep the Germans on track in their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup, but the performance itself was scattered, lethargic and lacked cohesion, particularly in the first half.

  With the three points, Germany head into the final group game as favourites to book their tickets to North America next year. They are currently tied on 12 points with Slovakia, which means that Nagelsmann's side will directly qualify for the flagship competition with a win or a draw.

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  Nagelsmann reveals half-time team talk

  Nagelsmann was asked how, after such a shaky and goalless first-half, he knew what to say to bring out the best of his players in the second period. 

  Speaking to reporters, the Germany head coach said: "I asked myself the same question at the end of the first half, how I should dribble up there. In the end, I do get the feeling that the team can't handle it when you go at it really hard. Honestly, we all want to be successful together. I've already engaged the players and simply demonstrated some things again, staying focused on the content. I also announced beforehand that I wouldn't raise my voice. We implemented the game better in the second half, focusing on winning through our tactics."

  Nagelsmann added: "Luxembourg caused us a lot of problems, especially in the first 30 minutes. It was more difficult than you sometimes hope for. We're under pressure in the group. In the end, we have to win the games. First and foremost, we need to win games; that's crucial because it builds self-belief. We simply have to win the game on Monday, and then we can discuss everything else."

• Nagelsmann spoke highly of Sane

  Leroy Sane contributed with the assist for Woltemade's opening goal at the start of the second half, before setting up a perfect pass for Ridle Baku, who, in turn, fed the Newcastle star for his second goal. 

  Praising Sane's performance after the match, Germany coach said: "He had two good actions that led to two goals. He had a few moments in the first half. He played a good game, had two decisive actions, and that's what it's all about in the end." 

  Sane, on the other hand, told the media: "I'm happy that I was able to repay Julian's trust to some extent. We had very good talks. Julian knows how I tick. That's normal, that's football, it's part of the game. I can't complain, I can only do my own thing. The World Cup is my big goal."

  Before the game the 38-year-old head coach had issued a warning to the winger as he said: "If we had six or seven players to choose from in that position, then it would be significantly more difficult for him. He knows that there aren't an unlimited number of opportunities to prove himself at the national team level. I told him that openly. Profile-wise, he has everything we need in that position. That's why he has this opportunity now. His scoring rate and performances have improved significantly compared to the beginning, both in the Super Lig and in the Champions League. But he still has steps to take to improve even further – both here and at the club."

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  Do-or-die game for Germany

  Germany stars need to work on their shortcomings in the next couple of days as there will be no scope for mistakes in their final group game against Slovakia on November 17. It's a must-win game for European giants to book their direct berth in the World Cup next year, although a draw will also suffice. 

Kent 117 for 2 (Dawkins 53*, Morley 2-45) trail Derbyshire 698 for 6 dec (Reece 211, Madsen 198, Andersson 85) by 581 runsDerbyshire plunged the knife deep into the Kentish ribcage on day two of their Rothesay County Championship match at Canterbury.They posted the second-highest score ever made at The Spitfire Ground when they declared on 698 for 6, before reducing Kent to 117 for 2 at stumps, a deficit of 581.Luis Reece and Wayne Madsen made a stand of 358 eclipsing the Derbyshire record for a third-wicket partnership in first-class cricket. Reece made 211, his highest first-class score, while Madsen fell for 198. Martin Andersson then blasted 85 from 75 balls and Anuj Dal was unbeaten on 52 when the declaration came.Kent’s openers initially responded well, reaching 111 without loss, before Jack Morley took two late wickets to finish with 2 for 45. He bowled Ben Compton for 46, then had nightwatcher Michael Cohen caught and bowled for four in the final over. Ben Dawkins was unbeaten on 53.Kent members have endured too many days like this in recent seasons, with the permanent injury crisis forcing the permanently makeshift bowling attack to toil for hours while the opposition batters tick away landmarks.Derbyshire were 389 for 2 overnight and while Reece and Madsen enjoyed the race to get to 200, home fans were reduced to applauding the occasional maiden or gallant bit of fielding.When the stand passed 292 Madsen had broken his own record, the previous mark for the third wicket being the partnership he’d shared with Shan Masood against Sussex in 2022.Reece was dropped on 196 by Ollie Curtiss, an admittedly violent drive off Joey Evison, but Matt Parkinson then broke through with a full toss that hit Madsen on the knee and got him lbw.That left them stranded, two runs short of the all-time record stand for any wicket, the 360 put on by Reece and Harry Came against Glamorgan in 2023.Reece nudged Parkinson for a single to bring up his double ton, then flicked Ekansh Singh for four to beat his previous high score of 201.Curtiss dropped Martin Andersson, off Parkinson, at first slip when he was on 14, but the bowler struck again in his next over when he had Reece caught by Ben Compton on the boundary, leaving the visitors on 550 for 4 at lunch.Brook Guest was the only batter not to fill his boots, run out by Ben Dawkins for 9, but Andersson blazed away until Curtiss had him caught at deep backward-square by sub Mo Rizvi.When the declaration came it was the second-highest first-class total by a team at Canterbury, behind only Northamptonshire’s 722 for 6, posted earlier this season.Home morale was partially restored by the way their openers responded. Kent were 42 without loss at tea, however and Dawkins hit Morley for two sixes off three balls before a delivery from the same bowler reared up and hit him on the grille.He was able to continue after a concussion check, but with the light deteriorating play was suspended at 5.22pm. Play resumed after a 28-minute delay, allowing Dawkins to reach his 50, before Morley turned one down the slope to bend back Compton’s off stump.Cohen then had a moment of madness, driving the penultimate ball of the day straight back to Morley.