Kai Havertz apologised to Germany supporters after missing a penalty in a dramatic World Cup shootout defeat to Paraguay. The Arsenal forward had rescued his side with an equaliser in normal time, but Die Mannschaft's World Cup campaign ended after a tense 4-3 penalty defeat.
Julian Nagelsmann insists he has no intention of stepping down after Germany's shock 2026 World Cup exit to Paraguay. The Germany boss admitted the defeat was "very bitter" after his side failed to break down an "ultra-defensive" opponent, but says he remains committed to the role if the DFB want him to stay.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp aimed a pointed dig at Arsenal's tactical approach after Germany's shock World Cup exit at the hands of Paraguay. Klopp was left furious after a controversial VAR decision denied the four-time world champions a crucial extra-time winner before a dramatic penalty shootout defeat in the round of 32 tie.
Germany were sensationally dumped out of the 2026 World Cup on Monday evening after losing 4-3 on penalties to Paraguay after a 1-1 draw in Foxborough. Julian Nagelsmann's side had 75 percent possession and three times as many shots as their South American opponents (21-7), while they also thought they'd won a bad-tampered round-of-32 tie when Jonathan Tah headed home Nathaniel Brown's corner in extra-time.
Gary Lineker has named France as the outright favourites to win the World Cup, insisting that there is no manager in international football better suited to lifting the trophy than Didier Deschamps. The former England striker praised the leadership of the Les Bleus boss while simultaneously hitting out at FIFA for a controversial decision regarding the French national team.
Julian Nagelsmann has delivered a blunt assessment of the pressure surrounding the German national team as they prepare for a high-stakes World Cup knockout clash against Paraguay. Following a disappointing group-stage finale against Ecuador, the head coach is refusing to let external noise distract from the task at hand in Boston.
Kai Havertz has issued a defiant response to Gary Lineker after the England legend labeled the current German squad as "one of the weakest" in the nation’s history. The Arsenal forward insisted that Julian Nagelsmann’s side are blocking out the noise as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup knockout rounds in the United States.
The group stage of the 2026 World Cup came to a dramatic conclusion on Saturday, as Austria scored a 96th-minute equaliser against Algeria to qualify for the knockout stage while simultaneously eliminating Iran, who had been set to progress as one of the tournament's third-placed finishers. Elsewhere, Lionel Messi came off the bench to help Argentina maintain their 100 percent winning record with a 3-1 victory over Jordan and, in doing so, the No.10 extended his record-breaking goals tally at the finals to 19.
Comprehensive match preview of Germany vs Paraguay at World Cup 2026. We talk tactics, team news and more ahead of this round of 32 clash in Massachusetts.
Germany legend Toni Kroos has pulled no punches in his assessment of the national team following their underwhelming group-stage conclusion. The 2014 World Cup winner warned that Julian Nagelsmann's side face an immediate exit in the knockout rounds unless they urgently address glaring defensive vulnerabilities and recover the form of their talismanic players.
Julian Nagelsmann has thrown his support behind Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz after their disappointing display in Germany's defeat to Ecuador. The head coach insists the creative duo will keep his faith ahead of Monday's last-32 clash and believes both players are close to rediscovering their best form.
Manuel Neuer has refused to accept responsibility for Germany's decisive goal in a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador, despite heavy criticism from the media and former players. The Bayern Munich star defended his positioning, while Julian Nagelsmann backed his goalkeeper as questions over Germany's No.1 intensified.
Germany legend Lothar Matthaus has launched a scathing critique of Julian Nagelsmann's tactical setup following the national team's bitter World Cup setback against Ecuador. The iconic former captain vehemently argued that current skipper Joshua Kimmich is being severely restricted by his controversial deployment in the right-back role.
Jurgen Klopp has delivered a scathing assessment of Germany's tactical approach following their unexpected 2-1 World Cup defeat against Ecuador. The former Liverpool manager warned that Die Mannschaft will not coast through the knockout rounds unless they dramatically alter their current playing style and psychological application.
Germany striker Deniz Undav has issued a rallying cry to his team-mates, insisting his team-mates must become more "nasty" to survive in the World Cup knockout rounds. The Stuttgart forward’s assessment comes in the wake of a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Ecuador, a result that has sparked a difference in opinion between the playing squad and manager Julian Nagelsmann.
Ecuador secured their place in the World Cup knockout stage in spectacular fashion after staging a dramatic comeback victory over Group E winners Germany in New Jersey. Despite failing to score in their opening two fixtures, the South Americans showcased their immense resilience to overcome a controversial early goal and book a historic spot.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Germany were full of attacking intent but badly lacking in defensive quality in a poor final World Cup group stage fixture, falling to a dogged Ecuador, 2-1. Julian Nagelsmann's side got an early goal from Leroy Sane, but conceded twice, and never had a coherent response. They still top the group, but go into the knockouts on a dreary note.
Borussia Dortmund have reportedly established a massive €100 million asking price for Felix Nmecha as interest from the Premier League continues to mount ahead of a future release clause becoming active. The 25-year-old German star has become a primary target for several clubs following his standout World Cup performances.
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has expressed his frustration with the current World Cup scheduling format, claiming his side are being unfairly penalised for securing top spot in Group E. The tactical mastermind revealed that a highly compressed turnaround time forces his analytical backroom staff into a frantic race against the clock.
The group stage of the World Cup is nearly over, and for the first time in history, it will be followed by a round of 32. But which nations will face each other then? The new rule allowing the eight best third-placed teams to also progress to the knockout stages has complicated the system. Here, you can keep up to date with which third-placed nations would currently qualify and which match-ups will result for the round of 32.
Germany
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