Florian Wirtz 'fails' as German media fumes at one man after World Cup exit
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Germany were sensationally knocked out of the World Cup by Paraguay on penalties in the round of 32, with the result sparking a furious reaction from the country's media and calls for Julian Nagelsmann to be replacedFlorian Wirtz and Germany are out of the World Cup(Image: Getty Images)Germany's catastrophic World Cup elimination has plunged the nation's press into turmoil, with widespread demands for leadership changes. Germany had previously maintained an unblemished World Cup penalty shootout record, but that distinction was spectacularly ended by the South American side, who defended resolutely throughout 120 minutes before Jose Canale converted the decisive spot-kick in sudden death after Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah had failed from 12 yards.The outcome is broadly anticipated to mark the conclusion of manager Julian Nagelsmann's tenure, who had already faced opposition from certain supporters and journalists.
Demands for his departure have now reached fever pitch following what ranks among the darkest chapters in German football's history, reports The Mirror.Tabloid Bild declared Germany had "delivered a truly awful performance for much of the game. It's another German football nightmare!" Spiegel described it as the "decline of a once great football nation" and continued: "German World Cup failure also bears the name Nagelsmann."Sky Sport Germany reported that Nagelsmann's team "lacked everything: speed, ideas, penetration, chances" during the opening period.
The publication described the former Liverpool boss as "uniquely qualified to save German football" following Nagelsmann's failure to achieve this.It harshly concluded: "On the contrary, he crashed headlong into a wall."Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Germany is not what it once was."Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport declared: "Germany, what a flop!" while Mexican outlet Esto proclaimed: "The German myth is over!".