Germany disappoints in loss to Ecuador at 2026 World Cup
Germany had already qualified for the knockouts of the 2026 World Cup, but their performance was still disappointing in a 2-1 defeat. What to do
Germany had already qualified for the knockouts of the 2026 World Cup, but their performance was still disappointing in a 2-1 defeat. What to do with one more World Cup group stage game when you've already won the group? The answer is score two minutes into the game and don't look back. Germany did the first part, but then faded as momentum was replaced by a messy loss that exposes this team's limitations. There is a way to spin this as a defeat that can sharpen the minds, that can blow away any complacency ahead of the knockouts. Germany captain Joshua Kimmich was certainly bullish in defeat. "We keep inviting the opponent to attack by turning the ball over, which makes them stronger," Kimmich said on MagentaTV, adding: "Fortunately, this doesn't change much. But we can't afford any more losses. That much is clear. We can't let in one or two goals every game. We have to minimize the number of turnovers, and then we can beat anyone." But that's not how it felt in East Rutherford at the final whistle. It felt like Germany had gone from a team in form, exceeding the expectations of their fans, riding the waves of joy that come with big wins and last-minute wins, to one stopped short in its tracks. The song that has accompanied this team at the tournament so far has been "The train has no brakes". Today, not only were the brakes on, but the team appeared to derail.
Leroy Sane gave Germany an early lead, but they faded fast Image: Matthias Koch/picture alliance Another game endured rather than enjoyed David Raum started in place of the injured Nathaniel Brown (who is expected to return for Germany's knockout game) and had a game to forget. Antonio Rüdiger replaced the injured Nico Schlotterbeck and was slow to start, before improving. But they were not alone. Felix Nmecha, who has been Germany's standout at the tournament so far, struggled. Aleksandar Pavlovic played himself out of the second half, having also been booked. It was also tough on Leroy Sane, who scored Germany's opener and would have been the story of the day after weeks of strong media criticism. In the end, even his performance fell away in the face of Germany's collective disappointment. The result was made worse by the fact Germany's opening goal shouldn't have stood — American referee Tori Penso bizarrely decided not to penalize Aleksandar Pavlovic in the build-up after the Bayern player's boot ended up in the face of an opponent. Add to that the penalty that Germany never got because of a foul by Sane in the build-up, and it was a day where so much that could go wrong did go wrong. Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz worked hard off the ball, but are struggling to impose themselves on it. Rüdiger's comments last week calling on Germany's attacking players feel even more telling after this defeat: "No pressure, but we will need you." Depending on which of Germany's leaders you listened to, desire was also an issue.
The BriefWire