Germany went out on penalties to Paraguay at the World Cup, and Kai Havertz was asked on the pitch whether the team were now a second-class international side. His reply was brief: “It seems that way. Sure,” after the round-of-32 exit.
Kai Havertz on the pitch
The penalty defeat ended Germany’s run at the round of 32 and extended a bleak tournament stretch. They have not won a World Cup knockout match since the 2014 World Cup, a span that now includes exits at the group stage of the 2018 World Cup and the 2022 World Cup before this latest elimination.
Germany reached the knockout phase after two victories in the group, over Curacao and Ivory Coast, but the conversation after the loss moved immediately to why the team could not finish the job when the bracket tightened. The criticism centered on Julian Nagelsmann, who was accused of lacking a recognisable style, and on choices in midfield and wide areas that drew scrutiny once the penalties settled the result.
Nagelsmann’s selections under fire
Joshua Kimmich was used at right-back rather than in midfield, while Aleksandar Pavlovic and Felix Nmecha were criticized for their relative inexperience in the middle. Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala were also among the selections discussed in the fallout, as Germany’s tournament ended with another knockout failure instead of a run that matched its four-time winners status.
The public reaction only sharpened the noise. Friedrich Merz posted, “Even if elimination hurts: what a game,” and added, “With your commitment and team spirit at this World Cup, you have thrilled our country. We are proud of you.”
Friedrich Merz backtracks
By Tuesday, the Chancellor’s office told Tagesspiegel that the post was made in mistake. That left Germany with the defeat, the criticism of Nagelsmann and his selections, and the same blunt record: no World Cup knockout win since 2014.
The next debate starts with Havertz’s answer. If a player on the pitch is already being asked whether Germany are a second-class side, the burden now sits on the manager, the lineup choices, and the long gap between this team and the one that last lifted the trophy.
