Julian Nagelsmann angrily rejected suggestions that Ecuador simply wanted victory more than Germany after his side suffered a 2-1 defeat in their final World Cup group match.
Germany had already secured top spot in Group E before Thursday’s meeting in New Jersey, but Nagelsmann was still left frustrated after watching his team squander an early lead.
Leroy Sane gave the four-time world champions the perfect start, scoring after just 109 seconds to put Germany in control.
However, Ecuador responded almost immediately, with Nilson Angulo equalising inside the opening 10 minutes before Gonzalo Plata completed the turnaround in the second half.
The result proved far more important for Ecuador, who progressed as one of the best third-placed teams after producing a spirited display against one of the tournament favourites.
For Germany, the defeat did not alter their final group position, but it did raise questions about their mentality and consistency heading into the knockout stages.
Deniz Undav, who scored twice in Germany’s previous win over Cote d’Ivoire, suggested Ecuador had shown greater hunger during the contest.
“I had the feeling that they wanted it more than we did,” Undav told Magenta TV.
Julian Nagelsmann angrily rejected suggestions that Ecuador simply wanted victory more than Germany after his side suffered a 2-1 defeat in their final World Cup group match
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Ecuador were too strong for Germany in Thursday night’s World Cup clash
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“Ecuador were more aggressive, more tenacious. We have to learn from this that we also have to give it our all.
“They gave 100 per cent in every action, they were involved in every challenge.”
Germany captain Joshua Kimmich offered a similar verdict after the match, admitting he felt Ecuador had deserved their victory.
“The difference was today that the opponent wanted to win more than us,” Kimmich said.
Every team to have won the World Cup | GETTY/GB NEWS
“This is why they won today – really deserved.”
Nagelsmann, however, took issue with that interpretation when it was put to him after the final whistle.
“No, please stop with this nonsense, honestly,” the Germany manager said.
The former Bayern Munich boss insisted the defeat was not down to a lack of effort from his players, instead blaming tactical mistakes after Sane’s early opener.
“We got off to a great start,” Nagelsmann said during his press conference.
“Unfortunately, right after scoring, we started committing tactical suicide with our positioning.
“Ecuador had everything to play for, and you could tell – they had their foot on the gas.
“But I also can’t say that any of my players didn’t give it their all. That’s too simplistic.”
Ecuador fans were jubilant as their side stunned Germany at the World Cup
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Germany will now turn their attention to the round of 32, with their next match scheduled for Monday, June 29, in Boston.
Their opponent has not yet been confirmed and will be a third-placed team from Group A, B, C, D or F.
Nagelsmann is managing Germany at his second major tournament after taking charge on home soil at Euro 2024.
He guided them past Denmark in the last 16 of that competition before they were beaten by eventual winners Spain in the quarter-finals after extra-time.
Germany remain well-placed to mount a serious World Cup challenge, but the Ecuador defeat is a reminder that their post-2014 tournament struggles have not entirely disappeared.
Since lifting the trophy in Brazil, they have endured as many World Cup defeats as victories across the last three editions.
