One of the great surprises of this World Cup in Qatar has been the early elimination of the all-powerful Germany. Hansi Flick’s men began the championship losing 1-2 against Japan, and in the second match against Spain they only managed a draw. The German team came to the match against Costa Rica on a tightrope, and in addition to beating the Tikos, they needed ‘la Roja’ to overcome Japan. However, despite having done their part, Luis Enrique’s men lost against the Japanese and Germany was eliminated from the World Cup.
After the game, the German players apologized to their fans and were visibly affected, especially Joshua Kimmich, who was very critical of himself. “I am afraid that the removal will be associated with my name. These failures are connected to my person,” he said. Since making the squad in 2016, Germany have been knocked out in the first round of World Cup competition twice in a row. “It has been the worst day of my career,” declared the Bayern Munich player. “I’m afraid of coming home and falling into a well,” he added.
Yesterday was also a sad day for Thomas Müller, who said goodbye to the German team after the World Cup elimination in Qatar. After the match, the 33-year-old player, who was playing his fourth World Cup, spoke to German public television where he addressed his fans. “It has been an enormous pleasure, dear people, thank you very much. They were incredible moments. I have always tried to leave my heart on the field in every game,” he said.
Rüdiger for his part, was much more critical of his team. “We’re back to square one, that’s the harsh reality! Lots of talent, all very well, but there are other things involved,” he commented. “We miss more ambition and toughness,” he concluded.
Müller, one of the great figures of the German team, retires through the front door despite the elimination of his team. He stood out in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where he scored five goals and was chosen as the best young player in the competition. In the 2014 World Cup in Brazil he also shone and was one of the pillars of that triumph. He says goodbye with 120 games played and 44 goals in his personal account.
Since they won their last World Cup in 2014, Germany has gone downhill and their performance in the last two World Cup competitions has been very discreet. As in this World Cup, in 2018 the Germans were eliminated in the group stage after losing to South Korea 2-0.
