Germany's Neuer faces backlash after Ecuador loss as Kroos warns defence and star duo must improve for World Cup run

A costly return for the legend

Germany had already clinched top spot in the group before facing Ecuador, but the 1-2 loss in Philadelphia on Thursday has turned the spotlight on 40-year-old goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. The 2014 World Cup winner, brought back from international retirement by coach Julian Nagelsmann, conceded two goals, to Nilson Angulo and Gonzalo Plata, and looked uncertain on a corner that led to the winner. While no obvious blunder occurred, his decision to wait for the ball rather than advance drew criticism.

“Manu should have gone to the ball earlier instead of waiting for it. A goalkeeper of his class must act more proactively in those situations.”

Former national keeper Timo Hildebrand defended Neuer on Instagram, arguing that field players, David Raum losing a header, Jamal Musiala being pushed aside, and Jonathan Tah's positioning, were equally at fault. Yet the broader concern is that Neuer's aura no longer translates into clean sheets; Germany have conceded in every group match and the coordination between keeper, defence, and midfield looks fragile.

Kroos and Podolski sound the alarm

World Cup winners Toni Kroos and Lukas Podolski did not hold back during a TikTok live show on Friday. Kroos pinpointed two critical weaknesses: the inability to defend in a gritty, uncomfortable way, and the loss of form of Musiala and Wirtz. "If both don't change, it won't last much longer," he said.

Podolski saw the defeat as a potential wake-up call. "Maybe a loss like this is good, take a knock, so everyone retreats to their room and thinks," he remarked. The message is clear: the talent is there, but the application and sharpness are missing.

The fading stars

Musiala and Wirtz arrived in North America carrying immense expectation, yet both have struggled. Musiala has not rediscovered the slalom runs that made him unplayable before a heavy challenge in last year's Club World Cup, while Wirtz, after a record Premier League move to Liverpool, appears to have lost creative spark. Against Ecuador, both were physically overrun by opponents, and neither could link up effectively. Nagelsmann acknowledged the need for more composure after his side lost control once they took the lead.

What comes next

Germany now face Paraguay in the Round of 32 on Monday evening (22:30 CEST) in Foxborough, Massachusetts. A victory would set up a likely last-16 clash with top favourites France, led by Kylian Mbappé, on the following Saturday in Philadelphia. France had earlier cruised past Norway's B-team 4-1, with Ousmane Dembélé netting a hat-trick. Nagelsmann stressed patience and calmness as the team prepares to address its defensive lapses and revive its underperforming creative duo.