Florian Wirtz has faced severe criticism for his inability to produce for Germany at the World Cup following their stunning elimination at the hands of Paraguay in Boston. The Liverpool star's display was scrutinised by Alan Shearer, who identified the Reds midfielder amongst others as players who fell short after Julian Nagelsmann's side were shocked by their South American rivals.
Paraguay Stun Germany in Penalty Shootout
Paraguay, who sit 41st in FIFA's world rankings, opened the scoring through Julio Enciso in the first half before Arsenal's Kai Havertz headed home from Wirtz's inviting cross for Germany. Jonathan Tah believed he had secured victory for the 2014 world champions, but his strike was controversially disallowed after VAR officials deemed goalkeeper Orlando Gill to have been fouled moments beforehand.
As the match progressed to a penalty shootout, Havertz and Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade both had their spot-kicks denied by Gill. Paraguay were handed two opportunities to clinch the win only for Antonio Sanabria and Fabian Balbuena to fail from 12 yards. Yet even with a third reprieve, Tah fired over and that enabled Jose Canale to secure a memorable triumph, prevailing 4-3 on penalties.
Shearer Questions Wirtz's Impact
Speaking on Netflix programme The Rest is Football, Shearer criticised Wirtz, who despite providing an assist failed to make an impact during the decisive moments. "They've got the quality in names and on paper, but they just didn't deliver," the England icon said. "You look at [Leroy] Sane, not a great season. [Denis] Undav they had to bring in to try and give them some oomph in and around the penalty area. Wirtz has had a terrible season at Liverpool, he hasn't performed again at this World Cup. So it's alright saying they've got the quality, but the quality wasn't there. We've seen them put seven past Curacao, well that's alright - but when it really mattered, the quality wasn't there at all."
When Micah Richards suggested to Shearer that his £116million move to Liverpool demonstrates Wirtz "has got the quality," Shearer interrupted: "What's he done this season?" Richards responded: "He's a superstar. We've not seen the best of him, totally agree with that, but we can't say he's not a good player."
Historic Defeat for Germany
It marks the first occasion in history that Germany have been defeated in a penalty shootout at a World Cup and their first loss from the spot at international level since 1976. Germany's surprising elimination follows their 7-1 thrashing of Curacao in their opening fixture, before securing a 2-1 victory over the Ivory Coast and suffering a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador.
Nagelsmann Defiant Despite Pressure
Despite their humiliating last-32 exit, head coach Julian Nagelsmann insisted he wouldn't "run away" by stepping down from his position. "When you exit the World Cup after you play Paraguay it is very bitter. It is very hurtful," he said. "This is the third elimination in a row, so we are not part of the first-class teams any more. If we're going to do a survey today in Germany, people are not going to speak about me positively obviously. I did feel the support in the stadium. I don't think everyone in Germany will agree with me staying on and continuing as manager of the team. I'd like to praise all the German fans who came to the stadium. I expected a totally different reaction from them but it was amazing and impressive the way they supported us, even after the defeat. I'm not going to step back only because we are eliminated. If the DFB [German Football Association] want me to continue, I am going to continue. I know how the industry works and a lot of people now want me to leave. I want to continue if the German FA wants me to."
Former Players Call for Change
Nagelsmann's defiant stance failed to find favour with former Germany internationals Thomas Hitzlsperger and Arne Friedrich, who both concurred that the tournament's outcome would heap enormous pressure on the 38-year-old. Germany have failed to make it to the last-16 in each of their last three finals appearances. Hitzlsperger, speaking on BBC One, said: "It's hard to explain how Germany got into this tournament with so many problems. It's unacceptable. It doesn't look good for Nagelsmann. In the last few months, he hasn't dealt with situations well. With the expanded World Cup format, to go out so early would be tough to take for any big nation." Friedrich, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, added: "If you consider the whole tournament, the way we played, it is a deserved loss. Nagelsmann has to face the consequences. It is very disappointing, but that is sport. I would definitely say the journey continues without Nagelsmann."
