World Cup: Group E: Germany vs. Cote d'Ivoire, 6/20/2026

[NotCommitted]

Seeing the second Undav goal again made me rate that even higher. The pass is an absolute laser and it bounces right before it gets to him, but no problem, he just kills it and turns around in one motion, the finish is secondary but obviously important after that. Incredible piece of play.

Yeah that goal was awesome, just perfect striker play in that situation. If he played full 90 for CIV he could've had 5 goals with that first touch It's comical how many grade A chances they blew because of bad first touch.

 

[NotCommitted]

Btw. the way the Germans were acting when Singo was hurt was really classless. All that yelling and whining while Singo first raised his hand up and then delibirately kicked the ball out, it was pretty clear he was hurt, there was just nothing for him to gain there with that play otherwise. I only watched the 2nd half, did something happen during the first or were they just being dicks for no reason?

 

[NyQuil]

Btw. the way the Germans were acting when Singo was hurt was really classless. All that yelling and whining while Singo first raised his hand up and then delibirately kicked the ball out, it was pretty clear he was hurt, there was just nothing for him to gain there with that play otherwise. I only watched the 2nd half, did something happen during the first or were they just being dicks for no reason?

It’s that he went off the field and then came back on.

If he was off, play continues, so he walked off, then walked back on and went down on the pitch so that play wouldn’t continue.

 

[cgf]

It’s that he went off the field and then came back on.

If he was off, play continues, so he walked off, then walked back on and went down on the pitch so that play wouldn’t continue.

Plus they were mad at the ref already for some of the things he was letting go.

 

[NyQuil]

Plus they were mad at the ref already for some of the things he was letting go.

Yeah, he was pretty mediocre.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

All this harsh critique of Germany, only because they're not up to standards of their best past moments. I saw a match where both teams squandered chances, and one team seemed to control the ball more for some useless possession time. But in the end, in typical German fashion, they found a way to win.

Is that not a credit to a team that lacks top talent and athleticism around the pitch?

Edit - Germany have more to offer once Sane is benched...assuming Schlotterbeck can play in the knockout rounds.

 

[koyvoo]

All this harsh critique of Germany, only because they're not up to standards of their best past moments. I saw a match where both teams squandered chances, and one team seemed to control the ball more for some useless possession time. But in the end, in typical German fashion, they found a way to win.

Is that not a credit to a team that lacks top talent and athleticism around the pitch?

It is. And I believe that only the historical giants and tournament winners can pull this stuff off. Italy won a tournament in the middle of a shockingly bad decade which has them being closer to a C level team than an A level team.

There’s 5-6 nations whose players always take the confidence of believing it’s their right to succeed in these tournaments, and that’s huge.

There’s only debate when there is pushback to the notion that they’re not at an elite level in terms of quality and depth at the moment.

 

[luiginb]

Hate to say it but Evilo is right here. If Wirtz wants to succeed in the PL he needs to hit the gym. His defensive efforts have always been good but he won't win physical duels in the PL with what refs there let go.

 

[cgf]

Has anyone ever actually pushed back against the notion that we lack depth at the moment? Since you're probably refering to me with that comment, all I talk about is how we lack depth...

 

[koyvoo]

Has anyone ever actually pushed back against the notion that we lack depth at the moment? Since you're probably refering to me with that comment, all I talk about is how we lack depth...

…and quality…

No, it’s not just here. Go to big soccer forums. Lol. It’s even worse there, barring a handful of members.

 

[cgf]

Hate to say it but Evilo is right here. If Wirtz wants to succeed in the PL he needs to hit the gym. His defensive efforts have always been good but he won't win physical duels in the PL with what refs there let go.

He and Nick both need to fill out their frames to reach their peaks, but that was going to be the case no matter where they played

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

It is. And I believe that only the historical giants and tournament winners can pull this stuff off. Italy won a tournament in the middle of a shockingly bad decade which has then being closer to a C level team than an A level team.

There’s 5-6 nations whose players always take the confidence of believing it’s their right to succeed in these tournaments, and that’s huge.

There’s only debate comes when there is pushback to the notion that they’re not at an elite level in terms of quality and depth at the moment.

They clearly are not elite right now, but some choose to translate into "Germany is scheisse".

They obviously aren't scheisse, just one of the 6-7 nations that have a chance this tourney...just a lesser chance out of that group. This match hasn't changed any of that, but some need narratives.

I just hope for Sane out, Sclotterbeck to be healthy in 10-12 days, one clutch performance in the round of 16. Anything after that is a bonus, and a fair result for the state of the team...and a fair tribute to the history of Die Mannschaft. 2030 should be even more promising. I see this team being much like the 2006 roster, with a better than expected turnaround from disappointing times.

The entire world of football is becoming more competitive each year though. The traditional powers will have much more to contend with to stay at the top. It's not a small feat to reach the last 8, let alone the semi-finals, no matter if you're Argentina, France, or Spain.

 

[koyvoo]

They clearly are not elite right now, but some choose to translate into "Germany is scheisse".

They obviously aren't scheisse, just one of the 6-7 nations that have a chance this tourney...just a lesser chance out of that group. This match hasn't changed any of that, but some need narratives.

I just hope for Sane out, Sclotterbeck to be healthy in 10-12 days, one clutch performance in the round of 16. Anything after that is a bonus, and a fair result for the state of the team...and a fair tribute to the history of Die Mannschaft. 2030 should be even more promising. I see this team being much like the 2006 roster, with a better than expected turnaround from disappointing times.

The entire world of football is becoming more competitive each year though. The traditional powers will have much more to contend with to stay at the top. It's not a small feat to reach the last 8, let alone the semi-finals, no matter if you're Argentina, France, or Spain.

I mean, there’s a certain amount of it all that is just good old fashioned banter.

 

[cgf]

…and quality…

No, it’s not just here. Go to big soccer forums. Lol. It’s even worse there, barring a handful of members.

Depends what part of the pitch we're talking about. Wirtz, Karl, and Musiala are world class. Schlotterbeck is as well when he's on form, as he has been for months now.

Undav, Havertz, Brown, Tah, Nmecha, Pavlovic, and Kimmich may not be world class but they are all excellent.

We're not as loaded as France or Spain, but when we have our best 11...or 10 since Karl is hurt *sigh*...we're more than good enough to match them with our coaching advantage.

 

[koyvoo]

Depends what part of the pitch we're talking about. Wirtz, Karl, and Musiala are world class. Schlotterbeck is as well when he's on form, as he has been for months now.

Undav, Havertz, Brown, Tah, Nmecha, Pavlovic, and Kimmich may not be world class but they are all excellent.

We're not as loaded as France or Spain, but when we have our best 11...or 10 since Karl is hurt *sigh*...we're more than good enough to match them with our coaching advantage.

I don’t think it’s only Spain or France that Germany are behind. Those are just the two most glaringly obvious. But, I think England, Argentina and Portugal clearly have better and more options as well, then there’s another 2-4 nations or so where the argument could be made, at least.

 

[Karterthadon]

Depends what part of the pitch we're talking about. Wirtz, Karl, and Musiala are world class. Schlotterbeck is as well when he's on form, as he has been for months now.

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

I don’t think it’s only Spain or France that Germany are behind. Those are just the two most glaringly obvious. But, I think England, Argentina and Portugal clearly have better and more options as well, then there’s another 2-4 nations or so where the argument could be made, at least.

Portugal ain't going anywhere with Grandpa Ronaldo involved.

 

[koyvoo]

Portugal ain't going anywhere with Grandpa Ronaldo involved.

I agree with you, but that doesn’t invalidate the point being made.

 

[Chimaera]

Depends what part of the pitch we're talking about. Wirtz, Karl, and Musiala are world class. Schlotterbeck is as well when he's on form, as he has been for months now.

Undav, Havertz, Brown, Tah, Nmecha, Pavlovic, and Kimmich may not be world class but they are all excellent.

We're not as loaded as France or Spain, but when we have our best 11...or 10 since Karl is hurt *sigh*...we're more than good enough to match them with our coaching advantage.

They’re a good side. They have a few players who can rise to the level especially for the national side and with whatever is left of a German mojo.

That said, there’s clearly a gulf in quality in what Germany puts out and a couple sides. I would also argue comparatively to past teams, while there are some who could have fit into other good national sides, they’re not as strong by some margin. Maybe what you could hang your hat on is they don’t have as glaring a hole as some. Though that defense is shaky at times.

 

[kabidjan18]

People are greatly underestimating Germany. They're as well rounded a team as any in the World Cup.

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

I agree with you, but that doesn’t invalidate the point being made.

Yeah but it's a pointless point in the sense that these games aren't played on paper or in a lab setting. Germany never looks that great on paper and in a tournament setting it ain't always the best team that wins. In fact, in every single tournament Germany won they had to take out a favored team on the way there.

 

[Takeahnase]

It’s that he went off the field and then came back on.

If he was off, play continues, so he walked off, then walked back on and went down on the pitch so that play wouldn’t continue.

I’m surprised you’re not the star man on your rec team for doing that also.

 

[koyvoo]

Yeah but it's a pointless point in the sense that these games aren't played on paper or in a lab setting. Germany never looks that great on paper and in a tournament setting it ain't always the best team that wins. In fact, in every single tournament Germany won they had to take out a favored team on the way there.

In the ones that I’ve watched in my time, in 1990 they were at least top 3, 1996 they were likely the best, and 2014 probably easily the best, considering Spain’s collapse and what Germany had built since 2006.

I don’t think they’re anywhere near as good themselves, or comparatively to the field right now as they were in any of the above listed tournaments.

 

[cgf]

I don’t think it’s only Spain or France that Germany are behind. Those are just the two most glaringly obvious. But, I think England, Argentina and Portugal clearly have better and more options as well, then there’s another 2-4 nations or so where the argument could be made, at least.

I won't argue about argentina, they have a bunch of attacking talent around Leo...who is still amazing...but it's not always about who has the most talent, sometimes all you need is enough talent, paired with resiliency, flexibility, and cohesion...which is why I rate them more than the more talented French & Spanish.

If Schlotti isn't done, things are taking shape well in those respects for us; we're getting good practice with both handling adversity & the kind of world class speed on the counter, that we will when we run into the big boys. While the team seems to have fantastic synergy / cohesion with Undav out there.


That said I don't think England brought along as much talent as we did even after Karl got hurt; Kane is an obvious advantage over Kai, I'd also gladly take Reece over Kimmich, and their double pivot is more highly rated...though I'm more than fine with our starters, and I like our alternatives (Stiller / Amiri / Ouedraogo) more than Mainoo & Hendo (am I forgetting someone?).

But I wouldn't swap Schlotterbeck or Tah for any of their CBs; even if I would take Guehi over Rüdi as our #3. I like Brown's dynamism more than O'Reilly's...at least from my limited viewings of City this season...and rate Raum a lot more than Spence. And I wouldn't swap the attackers we have around Kai for the attackers they have around Kane; counting Jude as an attacker.


I just don't know how to assess Portugal's talent because of the terrible coach. They certainly have more depth than us in general...but outside of the PSG trio -- whom I'd love to have -- who is world class? They clearly have the better FBs and midfield, but we I don't think their CBs are as good as Schlotti & Jona, and I'll take our front 4 ahead of theirs; especially given the way each team makes use of its talent.

 

[Vipers31]

Hate to say it but Evilo is right here. If Wirtz wants to succeed in the PL (…)

Who - outside of Liverpool - gives a shit if he succeeds there? There’s bigger stages.