Germany fall 2–1 to Ecuador but top Group E

Germany 1–2 Ecuador, but Group E was already won

Your team lost for the first time at this World Cup. Ecuador 2–1 in the final Group E match on Wednesday, but it changes nothing, top spot was already sealed after the dramatic stoppage-time win over Ivory Coast (2) (4).

Antonio Rüdiger made his first start of the tournament. Nilson Angulo and Gonzalo Plata scored for Ecuador, Kevin Rodríguez added a third that was eventually ruled out. Leroy Sané got your goal (4).

Julian Nagelsmann did not hold back afterwards: "Ecuador wanted it more than us? That's nonsense" (Reddit 1). But Deniz Undav saw it differently, telling DAZN: "I had the feeling they wanted it more than us" (Reddit 1).

Schlotterbeck injury hangs over the knockout round

The bigger worry is Nico Schlotterbeck. An MRI is scheduled after the defender went down with a suspected torn ankle ligament in the Ivory Coast match (team background). If confirmed, his World Cup is over. David Raum and Nathaniel Brown are the options to fill in alongside Rüdiger.

Undav: three goals, all off the bench

Deniz Undav has three goals and two assists across the group stage, every single contribution coming as a substitute. That equals a World Cup record for goal involvements off the bench (team background). Nagelsmann now has to decide whether to start him in the knockout round.

Undav was asked about sharing the top of the scoring charts: "Let's think about the World Cup," he said, brushing off the Messi comparisons (3).

Nmecha interest from United, nothing sealed

Manchester United have advanced their interest in Felix Nmecha. Ben Jacobs reports INEOS are pushing, but no agreement is in place with Borussia Dortmund yet (1). Nmecha has started all three group games for Germany.

Rüdiger: Mourinho can wait

Rüdiger was asked about José Mourinho arriving at Real Madrid this summer. His answer was short: "Excited about Mourinho? Let's think about the World Cup and then I'm going to be with my dad" (2). The focus is entirely on the knockout stage.

Fan-reaktioner

The post-match mood is split. Undav's blunt admission that Ecuador wanted it more landed hard, especially next to Nagelsmann brushing the idea off entirely. Some fans see a worrying lack of edge; others point out the game meant nothing. The 30th anniversary of England's Euro 96 heartbreak against Germany also surfaced on r/soccer, a reminder of how deep this tournament's history runs for your team. See the full thread here.