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Germany's turbulent journey in the UEFA Nations League ended with another disappointing performance, as they were convincingly beaten 2–0 by France in the third-place playoff held in Rotterdam. Despite some tactical adjustments from manager Julian Nagelsmann, including a shift from the usual 4-2-3-1 formation to a more compact 4-4-2 setup, the German national team failed to deliver the intensity and cohesion expected at this level.
France began the match with confidence, controlling the midfield through Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga, while Kylian Mbappé led the attacking line with trademark pace and creativity. He opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a brilliant solo effort, exploiting space left behind by Germany’s high defensive line. Later in the second half, Michael Olise—the rising star linked with Real Madrid—doubled the lead with a composed finish after a slick one-two with Antoine Griezmann.
On Germany’s side, goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen was one of the few bright spots, making several crucial saves to prevent an even wider scoreline. The outfield players, however, looked disjointed. Karim Adeyemi and Jamal Musiala showed flashes of individual brilliance but lacked chemistry in the final third. With veteran leaders like Ilkay Gündogan missing from the lineup, the team appeared mentally fragile.
The loss marks Germany’s third defeat in five competitive matches and raises serious concerns ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While Nagelsmann remains committed to integrating young talents, such as Florian Wirtz and Youssoufa Moukoko, critics argue that the lack of a clear tactical identity is damaging the team's momentum.
German fans and pundits are now questioning whether the current approach is sustainable. Will Nagelsmann survive the growing pressure, or will the German FA seek a new direction ahead of the World Cup qualifiers?
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