Terzic Fuming after Dortmund Suffer Defeat at Mainz

Dortmund's German head coach Edin Terzic (C) reacts with players after the German first division Bundesliga football match between Mainz 05 and BVB Borussia Dortmund in Mainz, western Germany on May 11, 2024. (AFP)

09:48-12 May 2024 AD ـ 05 Thul-Qi’dah 1445 AH

Terzic Fuming after Dortmund Suffer Defeat at Mainz

Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund deserved their 3-0 defeat at Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga as they lack the drive to achieve consistency in their performance, manager Edin Terzic said.

Lee Jae-Sung scored a brace after Leandro Barreiro had opened the scoring to hammer Dortmund 3-0 on Saturday.

Terzic's side had the opportunity to sink Mainz into the relegation zone but Mainz climbed up to 15th place, two points clear of the relegation play-off spot they previously occupied.

Terzic had said he wanted his team, in fifth place, to maintain their intensity levels after Tuesday's 2-0 aggregate win over Paris St Germain set them up for the June 1 final of Europe's top club competition against Real Madrid.

"Let's let Paris be Paris and talk about last week and this week," Terzic told reporters. "We were the team that were always late to the ball and always losing out in the tackles.

"That's why it was a deserved defeat. Mainz fought for every inch, didn't give us any peace in possession, whereas we did.

"We demonstrated that we could play really good and mature football, but we didn't prove it regardless of the opponent, competition, weekday and stadium and this is what makes me angry...

"There's so much inside of us and we can't get it onto the pitch every time."

Dortmund's fifth position has secured their Champions League participation next season. They host bottom side Darmstadt 98 in their last league game next Saturday.

Germany Questions Footballing Identity After Fresh World Cup Failure

(From L) Germany's forward #19 Leroy Sane, midfielder #10 Jamal Musiala and defender #24 Malick Thiaw react after losing the penalty shootout during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Germany and Paraguay at the Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026. (AFP)

16:23-30 June 2026 AD ـ 15 Muharram 1448 AH

Germany Questions Footballing Identity After Fresh World Cup Failure

Yet another World Cup failure has Germany questioning its footballing identity, with some calling for radical changes at all levels in the football-mad nation.

Germany's shock capitulation to Paraguay in the last 32 on Monday, their first ever World Cup penalty shootout defeat, continues the four-time champions sheer drop from the game's elite.

Germany have now been eliminated early in the past three World Cups.

Since beating Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup in 2014, Germany have not only been unable to win an elimination match at the tournament, but they have also failed to keep a clean sheet.

Calls to sack coach Julian Nagelsmann have grown, particularly with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp seemingly waiting in the wings.

Others, including Klopp himself, have demanded far more fundamental changes to the game in Germany.

- 'Drifting away from the elite' -

Even with diminished expectations after a lean decade, the German press slammed Nagelsmann's side after they fell to 41st-ranked Paraguay, a team who lost 4-1 to hosts USA in their tournament opener.

Respected Munich daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung called the result "a new humiliation", adding the Germans were "heading home with a thoroughly deserved return ticket".

German football magazine Kicker lamented a "damning indictment and proof that Germany is drifting further and further away from the world's elite".

Once boasting club-made talents the envy of Europe, Germany's ability to produce quality players has fallen behind European rivals France, Spain and England over the past decade.

Despite being Europe's most populous nation, where football is by far the dominant sport, Germany lack depth.

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Germany v Paraguay - Boston Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts, US - June 29, 2026 A Germany fan looks dejected after the match as Germany are eliminated from the World Cup. (Reuters)

While injuries to teenage forward Lennart Karl, veteran striker Serge Gnabry and first-choice center-back Nico Schlotterbeck have hurt the Germans, other major European nations can afford to leave star players at home.

Kicker cited France's Eduardo Camavinga, Christopher Nkunku and Randal Kolo Muani, England's Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer and Spain defender Dean Huijsen as examples.

Germany's shallow talent pool ups the pressure on their few remaining world-class players to perform.

Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala all entered the tournament after challenging seasons and have been unable to reproduce their best form in North America, despite showing glimpses of their quality.

- 'Become Germany again' -

Nagelsmann has copped much of the ire.

Having taken over as coach despite reportedly being courted by Europe's top clubs, Nagelsmann's appointment was considered a coup for the German FA (DFB).

But with the 38-year-old's high point a last-eight defeat to Spain on home soil at Euro 2024, calls are growing to avoid hanging onto a manager too long after a World Cup setback, as with predecessors Joachim Loew and Hansi Flick.

Lothar Matthaeus, a World Cup winner in 1990, wrote in his Bild column that Nagelsmann lacked "imagination", adding Germany "have to move forward with a new coach".

Nagelsmann admitted "big changes" were needed but pledged to stay on, saying: "I'm not one to run away. I'm ready to continue if the DFB wants me to."

The DFB reportedly cancelled a press conference planned for Tuesday, instead promising to release a statement later in the day.

Engaged as a sideline pundit, Klopp has cast a dark shadow over Nagelsmann and the Germany dugout since the tournament began.

Before Germany's opening game, Klopp attracted criticism for joking the young coach was only in charge of the team "for now", implying Nagelsmann was only keeping the seat warm.

But on Monday, Klopp cut a far more serious figure, dismissing suggestions he should take the wheel, while calling for more fundamental changes to the game, starting at the under-10 level.

"Look at Paraguay," Klopp said over images of the South American nation's celebrations. "They're all in tears; that's how much the Round of 16 means to them."

Klopp said the Germans were too content to dine out on their golden past.

"We are Germany? No, we were Germany. To be football Germany again, we need to really change things.

"It's of course not about names. Not about mine, not about Julian's," Klopp said, adding: "Julian is right. The team wanted it, but they were unable to do it in some areas.

"And now we need to ask why is that?"

Sports

Germany Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer Retires Again After Return for World Cup

Manuel Neuer #1 of Germany leaves the pitch after the penalty shootout loss during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Boston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Getty Images/AFP)

16:12-30 June 2026 AD ـ 15 Muharram 1448 AH

Germany Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer Retires Again After Return for World Cup

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has retired from international football for the second time after the team’s early World Cup exit.

The 40-year-old Neuer, who was coaxed out of retirement just before the tournament, said in TV interviews that Monday’s surprise defeat to Paraguay would be his last international game.

“Yes,” he told broadcaster Sportschau when asked if that was it, while he told Magenta TV he would not play on. “No. It’s very bitter to end it like this.”

Germany was eliminated when it lost 4-3 to Paraguay on penalties after the teams drew 1-1 with extra time.

Neuer had already retired from international football after the 2024 European Championship and had insisted he wouldn’t return.

Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann took over at Germany’s No. 1 following injuries to Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen and had played in the team’s last six qualification games, as well as pre-tournament friendlies.

Despite denials from the player and Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, speculation about Neuer’s potential return continued until Nagelsmann confirmed as much by including the Bayern Munich goalkeeper in his squad for the World Cup as Germany’s No. 1, demoting Baumann.

The move didn’t pay off. Neuer saved a penalty in the shootout against Paraguay, but it wasn't enough as three German players missed their spot kicks.

Neuer, who made his Germany debut in 2009, was the sole remaining member of the 2014 World Cup-winning squad. He played 128 games for Germany.

Sports

Sweden Face France’s Attacking Firepower at the World Cup

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - France Training - Bentley University, Boston, Massachusetts, US - June 27, 2026 France's Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele during training. (Reuters)

08:55-30 June 2026 AD ـ 15 Muharram 1448 AH

Sweden Face France’s Attacking Firepower at the World Cup

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - France Training - Bentley University, Boston, Massachusetts, US - June 27, 2026 France's Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele during training. (Reuters)

France unleash their devastating forward line on Sweden in a last-32 tie at the World Cup on Tuesday, while Erling Haaland will try to fire Norway past the Ivory Coast and into the next round.

Co-hosts Mexico meanwhile bid to continue their journey in front of a fervent crowd at the Estadio Azteca when they take on Ecuador.

The Swedish defense is bracing to face not only Kylian Mbappe, who has scored four times already in this tournament, but also Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, who notched a hat-trick in a 4-1 win against Norway in the group stage.

Completing the French trio, Michael Olise's runs at defenders have been creating havoc.

With attacking swagger and midfield flair, France appear well-placed to reach their third final in as many World Cups.

The only question mark might be their defense -- and Sweden have their own high-profile forward line who will try to unlock it, although Premier League duo Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres have not fully fired yet at this tournament.

If France get past Sweden, they will face not Germany -- who were beaten in a penalty shootout for the first time in World Cup history on Monday -- but their conquerors Paraguay.

France coach Didier Deschamps said Sweden had "nothing to lose".

"Sweden are playing for their survival. Obviously, they will do everything to win the game," Deschamps said on Monday.

"We need to stay humble, maintain our determination and concentration. In the group stage winning the first game gave us some margin for error, but now we have no second chances."

France came into the World Cup as one of the leading contenders to win the trophy, following their triumph in 2018 and defeat on penalties to Argentina in the 2022 final.

Sweden's route to the World Cup was unusual -- they finished bottom of their qualifying group but were parachuted into the play-offs thanks to their performances in the UEFA Nations League.

They reached the knockout rounds in North America, despite a 5-1 drubbing by the Netherlands, as one of the best third-placed teams in the group phase.

Sweden coach Graham Potter said his team would have to produce something special to beat France.

"They have quality all over... They have won the World Cup before and they have a fantastic manager," Englishman Potter said Monday.

"An exciting challenge awaits us, and we will have to play the game of our lives, clearly."

- 'Powerhouse' Haaland -

Haaland, another potent attacking force at this World Cup with four goals in two games, will be fully rested when he comes up against the Ivory Coast in Dallas after he was not used in the defeat to France.

Norway coach Stale Solbakken hailed the leadership of his "powerhouse", hailing Haaland as "one of the best players in the world".

"He's a great leader for us, he leads by example on the pitch," he said. "He has something that maybe you can't train so much to reach it, the sniff for goals, the feeling that the ball will land at your feet... and I think that is his biggest strength."

Mexico meanwhile have the added bonus of knowing that if they beat Ecuador, they will remain in their capital city to face the winner of the tie between England and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

On a dramatic day of action Monday, Paraguay stunned Germany in a penalty shootout of high drama after holding them to a 1-1 draw after extra time in Foxborough.

"This qualification is for all Paraguayans who believed in us," coach Gustavo Alfaro said -- and Paraguay's president called a national holiday to celebrate.

Morocco won their own shootout to eliminate the Netherlands after an enthralling contest in Monterrey as goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved the Netherlands' fifth penalty from Crysencio Summerville.

Then striker Ismael Saibari stepped up to blast home the winning effort for the Atlas Lions.

And Brazil came from behind to overcome Japan 2-1 in the day's first game, and will face the winner of Norway's game against the Ivory Coast on Sunday.

Terzic Fuming after Dortmund Suffer Defeat at Mainz

Terzic Fuming after Dortmund Suffer Defeat at Mainz

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Germany Questions Footballing Identity After Fresh World Cup Failure

Germany Questions Footballing Identity After Fresh World Cup Failure

Germany Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer Retires Again After Return for World Cup

Germany Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer Retires Again After Return for World Cup

Sweden Face France’s Attacking Firepower at the World Cup

Sweden Face France’s Attacking Firepower at the World Cup

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