Havertz and Wirtz shine as dominant Germany thrash Bosnia and Herzegovina

Germany put their passage to the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals beyond doubt, ensuring they would finish top of Group A3 with a commanding 7-0 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side established a five-point gap at the summit, thanks to important contributions from their starting front four, each notching a goal on a comfortable evening in Freiburg.

Bosnia – who suffered relegation to League B, needing at least a point in Freiburg to keep their hopes of League A survival alive – suffered the worst-possible start as Jamal Musiala opened the scoring inside two minutes.

And matters were made worse for Sergej Barbarez’s side mid-way through the first half as Tim Kleindienst nicked Robert Andrich’s effort into the net for his first international goal, before Kai Havertz made it three.

Bayer Leverkusen talisman Florian Wirtz continued the rout as he netted a brace within seven minutes after the interval, first slamming home a stunning 25-yard free-kick before tapping home from yards out after Havertz was denied.

Germany, who are unbeaten since their Euro 2024 quarter-final exit (W4, D1), rounded off a dominant evening as substitute Leroy Sane ran home his side’s sixth before Kleindienst capped his brace 11 minutes from time.

Nagelsmann’s only concern on an otherwise perfect evening came through Joshua Kimmich’s late substitution after apparent injury, though the Bayern Munich defender seemed to walk off the pitch without issues.

Germany have been seriously impressive post-Euro 2024, and Nagelsmann has not just been relying on his big stars to ease to the top of Group A3.

Kleindienst was a menace up top tonight, scoring his first two goals in a Germany shirt. But Stuttgart forward Jamie Leweling was the hero in their 1-0 win over Netherlands last time out, while Deniz Undav finished as Germany’s joint-top scorer with three goals in two Nations League matches.

Their selection of forwards, who have each impressed in their respective domestic campaigns, show the future is bright in Germany – and provide ample support to the likes of Wirtz and Musiala, who are well en-route to establishing themselves as world-class talents.

Germany may have suffered a disappointing European campaign in the summer, but they will have high hopes for the 2026 World Cup after showcasing their class to ease through their Nations League group stage.

It would have gone to Wirtz if he was not hauled off on the hour. Havertz was absolutely everywhere and the visitors had no idea how to deal with him.

Grabbing a goal for himself, while also assisting Wirtz and Sane – Havertz showed just how capable he is in behind the striker, even though we have become so used to seeing him as the focal point for Arsenal.

Germany: Baumann 7, Kimmich 8, Tah 7, Rudiger 8, Mittelstadt 8, Andrich 7, Gross 7, Wirtz 10, Havertz 10*, Musiala 9, Kleindienst 9. Subs: Sane 8, Gnabry 6, Nmecha 6, Koch 6, Henrichs 6.

Bosnia & Herzegovina: Vasilj 6, Muharemovic 3, Bicakcic 4, Barisic 3, Omerovic 3, Burnic 4, Sunjic 5, Gigovic 3, Tahirovic 4, Demirovic 3, Kulenovic 3. Subs: Bazdar 4, Basic 4, Bajraktarevic 3, Huseinbasic 4, Hajradinovic 4.