It was a memorable night for Nick Woltemade and Germany as they produced a brilliant all-round performance to sweep aside Luxembourg 4–0 in their World Cup group qualifier.
The Newcastle United striker didn’t find the net himself, but his presence, movement, and intelligence up front set the tone for a dominant display.
Woltemade’s ability to link up play, create space, and involve teammates allowed Germany to completely control proceedings from start to finish.
The 22-year-old led the line with maturity beyond his years, constantly dropping deep to receive the ball, drawing defenders out of position, and helping open gaps for the attacking midfielders to exploit.
He may not have been on the scoresheet, but his contribution was vital in the fluid attacking rhythm that Germany displayed throughout the first hour.
By the time he was substituted around the 60th minute, the game was already comfortably settled at 4–0 in Germany’s favour.
Germany’s dominance was reflected in every aspect of the match possession, tempo, and defensive control. Luxembourg rarely threatened, and the efficiency of Germany’s forward transitions highlighted the growing chemistry between their young stars and more experienced names.
With this result, Germany moved one step closer to automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals.
The night got even better for the Germans after Northern Ireland stunned Slovakia and Martin Dúbravka with a shock 2–0 victory.
The unexpected result completely shifted the group standings in Germany’s favour, transforming them from underdogs for the top spot into overwhelming favourites to qualify automatically.
All Germany need now is to win their final three matches, starting with an important trip to Belfast to face Northern Ireland on Monday night.
If they can maintain the same level of composure and attacking balance shown against Luxembourg, they will be difficult to stop.
It wasn’t just Woltemade and Germany making headlines this week. Several Newcastle United players were in international action across the globe, producing mixed results and standout moments for their respective nations.
The table below highlights the October 2025 international schedule for Newcastle United players and their key performances so far:
| Date | Fixture | Competition | Newcastle Players Involved | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 9 Oct | England 3–0 Wales | International Friendly | Anthony Gordon, Dan Burn | Gordon was excellent in the first half and played the full 90 minutes. Burn unused. |
| Friday 10 Oct | South Korea 0–5 Brazil | Friendly | Bruno Guimarães, Joelinton | Bruno registered a world-class assist; Joelinton stayed on the bench. |
| Friday 10 Oct | Germany 4–0 Luxembourg | World Cup Qualifier | Nick Woltemade | Led the line superbly, key in Germany’s attacking fluidity before being subbed. |
| Friday 10 Oct | Sweden v Switzerland | World Cup Qualifier | Anthony Elanga | Awaiting match report. |
| Friday 10 Oct | Moldova U21s v England U21s | Euro U21 Qualifier | Lewis Miley | Played a crucial role in midfield control. |
| Saturday 11 Oct | Estonia v Italy | World Cup Qualifier | Sandro Tonali | Set to start in a key midfield role. |
| Monday 13 Oct | Northern Ireland v Germany | World Cup Qualifier | Nick Woltemade | Germany seek to confirm top spot. |
| Monday 13 Oct | Sweden v Kosovo | World Cup Qualifier | Anthony Elanga | Another test for Elanga’s pace and creativity. |
| Monday 13 Oct | England U21s v Andorra U21s | Euro U21 Qualifier | Lewis Miley | Expected to anchor midfield again. |
| Tuesday 14 Oct | Italy v Israel | World Cup Qualifier | Sandro Tonali | Another crucial outing for Tonali. |
| Tuesday 14 Oct | Latvia v England | World Cup Qualifier | Anthony Gordon, Dan Burn | Gordon likely to start; Burn could rotate in defence. |
| Tuesday 14 Oct | Japan v Brazil | Friendly | Bruno Guimarães, Joelinton | Brazil expected to rotate their squad. |
The international window has given Newcastle United’s players an opportunity to shine on the global stage, and few have made more of it than Nick Woltemade.
His selfless performance for Germany displayed the traits that have made him a fan favourite on Tyneside hard work, intelligence, and a willingness to do the dirty work for the team.
Despite not scoring, Woltemade’s ability to make the players around him better was evident throughout the game.
His link-up play with attacking midfielders and wide players kept Germany’s momentum flowing. Such performances underline why Eddie Howe trusts him as Newcastle’s main striker not just for his finishing ability, but for the balance he brings to the attack.
As the focus now turns to Northern Ireland, the confidence within the German camp is sky-high. The result against Luxembourg wasn’t just a win; it was a statement of intent.
For Nick Woltemade, it capped off a Friday night that he will remember for a long time not because of a goal, but because of the role he played in a commanding, complete team performance that put Germany firmly on the path to the 2026 World Cup.
