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SportsMatthäus slams Germany: 2026 World Cup Round of 32 exit worse than 2018 and 2022
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German football legend Lothar Matthäus harshly criticized the German national team after their 2026 World Cup exit in the Round of 32, losing to Paraguay on penalties. Despite advancing from the group stage for the first time since 2014, Matthäus argued the performance was worse than in 2018 and 2022, citing a lack of progress. He noted that nine players from the 2022 squad were still on the team, while Spain, who drew with Germany in 2022, went on to become world champions. Matthäus blamed accumulated problems in German football over the past three and a half years and expressed hope that incoming coach Jürgen Klopp would drive necessary changes.
Source report
Hupu Football News — July 22
Although the German team successfully advanced from the group stage at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico — their first time clearing this hurdle since winning the title in 2014 — they lost to Paraguay on penalties in the Round of 32, exiting in the first knockout round.
This outcome brought no comfort to German football legend Lothar Matthäus. On the contrary, he believes this performance is even worse than in 2018 and 2022.
Matthäus: "I Still Can't Understand Why"
Matthäus did not hide his anger in an interview:
"I still can't understand why we are sending these players home so early. The fact is: this performance is worse than when we finished last in the group in 2018, and also worse than 2022."
He pointed out that in 2018, Germany, as defending champions, finishing bottom of their group was already a disgrace. In 2022 in Qatar, although they also exited in the group stage, they at least showed competitiveness against Spain and even had a chance to win.
"That 1-1 draw put us on the same level as Spain. Four years later, 11 players from that Spanish team became world champions. Meanwhile, our squad still has nine players who were at the 2022 World Cup — and then what? Zero progress!" Matthäus said angrily.
Blame Beyond Nagelsmann
Matthäus believes that former coach Julian Nagelsmann certainly made mistakes, but he is not the only one to blame.
"The problems accumulated in German football over the past three and a half years must now be resolved ruthlessly."
He placed his hopes on the incoming new coach, Jürgen Klopp:
"I believe Klopp will ensure that happens."
A Decade of Disappointment
From 2018 to 2026, three World Cups, three kinds of disappointment — but Matthäus sees a common issue: German football is stagnating and missing the opportunity for change.
Source: sport.de
Posted in Shanghai Reads: 443
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Matthäus sees a common issue: German football is stagnating and missing the opportunity for change
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I think this year is still better, at least we advanced from the group
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虎扑 - 足球Neutral / independent
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