Dahmen watches on as Germany lose, Saad nets dream goal
Kade withdraws from squad due to ankle problem
First Team
05.09.2025, 09:30
Finn Dahmen was given his first glimpse of senior international football on Thursday, although as expected, the goalkeeper didn’t make an appearance in Germany’s 2-0 loss to Slovakia. By contrast, Elias Saad and Aiman Dardari starred as goalscorers for their respective nations.
The Germany national team kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign in Bratislava last night, although it was far from the start they were hoping for. While the game marked Dahmen’s first involvement with the senior national side, he could only watch from the bench as the team’s poor performance saw them suffer a 2-0 defeat to Slovakia. Germany will have a chance to redeem themselves at 20:45 CEST on Sunday, 7th September, as they host Northern Ireland in Cologne.
The same night went considerably better for Elias Saad and Ismaël Gharbi, as Tunisia triumphed 3-0 in their World Cup qualifier against Liberia. Saad was substituted on in the 82nd minute and scored the final goal of the night with a superb free-kick, while Gharbi also came on in the 53rd minute to make his senior international debut.
Dardari bags his first goal for Luxembourg
Meanwhile, Aiman Dardari scored an equaliser for Luxembourg in the 30th minute of their 3-1 defeat to Northern Ireland, registering his first goal for his nation.
Oliver Sorg was involved in international action with Austria U19s on Wednesday this week, and had to swallow a bitter pill after opponents Belgium scored an added-time winner to secure a 2-1 victory. Two of Sorg’s FCA teammates, Mauro Hämmerle and Florian Hangl, also started the game, with the former putting Austria ahead through a goal in the 57th minute.
Various FCA players will be involved in more international action this weekend, although with the notable omission of Anton Kade. The winger, much like his teammate Mert Kömür, has now withdrawn from the Germany U21 squad after the picking up an injury during training with the side.
