Germany lost an away World Cup qualifying game for the first time in a 2-0 upset against Slovakia on Thursday which threw its campaign to reach the 2026 tournament into immediate jeopardy.

Dávid Hancko and David Strelec each exploited mistakes in Germany's defense to give Slovakia -- who last qualified for the World Cup in 2010 -- a surprise lead. Germany couldn't find a way through the Slovakian defence to get back into the game.

Germany had never lost a World Cup qualifier away from home in 52 previous matches before what was a disappointing evening in their first qualifier for next year's finals and they slipped to just their fourth loss overall from 104 qualifying games.

It also marked Germany's first three-game competitive losing streak in their 117-year history.

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It was a blow to coach Julian Nagelsmann and his new-look lineup, including Newcastle's new striker Nick Woltemade in his third Germany game and 21-year-old Nnamdi Collins making his debut at right back.

Nagelsmann was scathing about his team, which he said lacked "emotionality" on the field and the will to win against motivated underdog opposition. He even questioned whether he should pick less skilled but more dedicated players instead.

"Maybe we really do need to rely less on quality and instead on players who just give everything, because that would have led to better results today than if the best players played," he told broadcaster ARD.

Germany now needs to win all of its remaining five games to avoid the playoffs, Nagelsmann added.

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The home side started bright and were first to fire a warning shot at the favourites when Leo Sauer saw his close-range effort denied by Oliver Baumann.

Germany's first chance of the game fell to Maximilian Mittelstädt, who sent a powerful strike towards goal but the diving Martin Dúbravka diverted the ball behind.

Slovakia's tails were up and they were handed an opening when Antonio Rüdiger misread a pass and allowed Sauer to get through on goal but he saw his shot blocked by Jonathan Tah, moments after Leon Goretzka had an effort saved at the other end.

Liverpool's Florian Wirtz could have broken the deadlock in outstanding fashion after he showed neat and tidy footwork to open up an opportunity for himself but Dubravka got down well to deny what would have been a quality goal.

Sauer was proving to be a menace down the left-hand side and he sent a cross into Strelec, who lashed a shot wide in front of goal.

Slovakia took a deserved lead three minutes before the break as Strelec made a run and picked out Hancko, who sent a first-time effort straight into the bottom-left corner.

Woltemade endured a frustrated evening and was limited to scraps up the top end of the pitch which was compounded by a below-par header which was sent wide of the target.

Slovakia's night got even better when they doubled their advantage in the 55th minute after Strelec weaved his way into the area and curled his finish past the helpless Baumann and into the top corner.

Germany were two goals down but were doing nothing in the way of threatening the Slovakia goal as time ticked into the final 10 minutes.

The visitors looked their most dangerous in stoppage-time when it was seemingly too late -- Stanislav Lobotka nearly diverted David Raum's cross into his own goal but Dubravka was on hand to keep the clean sheet intact.

Information from The Associated Press, PA and ESPN Research was used in this report.