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Liverpool star Florian Wirtz has been under the microscope since his $157 million (£116 million) transfer move to Anfield this summer but his country is edging closer to confirming its spot at the World Cup.
Playing as a No. 10 with Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane on either flank and Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade, who replaced Alexander Isak in the North East, up front, Wirtz helped Germany to a victory against Luxembourg today, but only after a slow start.
In the first half, Germany struggled to create anything at all, with Luxembourg playing well. However, after the break, Woltemade netted a brace, with Sane assisting his first and then Ridle Baku setting up his second.
In the same qualifying group, Slovakia won late against Northern Ireland, with Conor Bradley looking to have helped his nation to a 0-0 tie in Kosice until the 91st minute.
That means that when it plays Germany on Monday, anything other than a win for Slovakia will ensure Wirtz and co are heading to the World Cup without the need for a play-off.
Wirtz was not spectacular here — no one in a Germany jersey was — but the national media felt that he could have done more, even in the circumstances.
In its player ratings, Eurosport noted that "the Liverpool player tried hard, got shots on goal, but remained unlucky".
The crowd enjoyed it when he missed a shot at goal, it also noted. While he could have been more creative, the main criticism was reserved for Gnabry, who failed to deliver when given an opportunity in the team.
On a sliding scale of 1.0 to 6.0, best to worst, Wirtz was given a 4.0 score. Gnabry and Jonathan Tah, at 4.5, were the only players worse than the Liverpool man, which feels a little harsh. Woltemade, with his brace, scored best with a 2.0.
In the report from Kicker, Wirtz didn't even get a mention. "Too many players in the German team were out of form on Friday," it said. "A repeat performance on Monday could have disastrous consequences."
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German magazine Web.de added that Wirtz's "slump at Liverpool is also evident in his German national team jersey".
"He had a few chances in the final third, but none of them resulted in a goal," it said. "His first shot was too hesitant, and then he missed the target."
On a tricky night for Germany, its biggest stars were always likely to draw criticism for underperforming. As long as disaster is averted on Monday, though, all eyes will be on the World Cup.
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