German media savage Wirtz, Neuer and 'joke' referee call after Ecuador defeat

Germany finished top of their World Cup group but left a trail of alarm behind them after Julian Nagelsmann’s side were beaten 2-1 by Ecuador on Thursday, with the German media pulling few punches in their post-match verdicts.

Leroy Sané gave Germany an early lead, yet Nilson Angulo and Gonzalo Plata turned the game around to hand Ecuador the victory they needed. Because Germany had already secured first place before kick-off, the defeat carried no immediate sporting consequences — but that did little to soften the domestic reaction.

Sky Sport Deutschland was among the sharpest critics, writing that the German team “was largely invisible for long stretches” after Sané’s opener. “Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala once again fell far short of their potential and were barely able to make their mark on the game,” the outlet noted. “Manuel Neuer also looked shaky on both goals conceded, especially the decisive second one. This defeat must be a timely wake-up call.”

Bild was equally unsparing. “This performance is worrying!” the tabloid declared, warning that at this level of focus Germany would not last long in the knockout rounds. The publication also challenged the validity of Sané’s goal itself, pointing to an apparent high boot by Aleksandar Pavlovic in the build-up that went unpunished. Referee analyst Manuel Grafe was quoted directly: “A clear foul. This decision is a joke and cannot stand.”

Allgemeine Zeitung added to the chorus of concern, suggesting structural changes may be needed if Germany are to mount a serious challenge in the knockout stages.

The criticism lands with particular weight given Germany’s recent World Cup record — back-to-back group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022 have made the nation acutely sensitive to any sign of complacency or underperformance. Nagelsmann’s team had raised expectations with a 7-1 demolition of Curacao in their opener, making the flat display against Ecuador all the more jarring for supporters and commentators alike.

Germany now advance to the round of 32, where the stakes — and the scrutiny — will only intensify.