Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann vehemently disagreed with Deniz Undav’s claims that Ecuador ‘wanted it more’ following his team’s defeat to the South American side.
Ecuador came from behind to defeat Germany 2-1 in their final group game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The result kept Ecuador’s qualification hopes for the knockout rounds alive while Germany’s victories in each of their first two games had already confirmed their spot in the Round of 32.
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Leroy Sane controversially put the Germans ahead less than two minutes into the clash, but Ecuador responded shortly after through a long-range strike from Sunderland winger Nilson Angulo. 13 minutes from time, Gonzalo Plata prodded home from close range, giving Ecuador a crucial three points on the evening.
Speaking to Magenta TV after the match, Undav, who is currently Germany’s leading goalscorer in the 2026 World Cup, claimed his country lost their final group stage game because Ecuador wanted it more.
“I had the feeling they wanted it more than we did,” the forward said. “Ecuador were more aggressive, more tenacious. We have to learn from this that we also have to give it our all. They gave 100 percent in every action, they were involved in every challenge. We also weren’t as focused as in the first two games. We have to fight back more. But it’s not the end of the world.”
Speaking to the same outlet, Nagelsmann strongly disagreed with Undav, branding his remarks as ‘nonsense’.
“Ecuador wanted it more than we did? That’s nonsense,” the coach said.
Germany made a statement in their opener, defeating debutants Curacao 7-1, before defeating Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 in their second game. By winning their group, Die Mannschaft will play a third-place side from Group A, B, C, D or F in the Round of 32.
“The opponent wanted to win more than us” – Germany captain Kimmich echoes Undav’s sentiments after loss to Ecuador
Like Undav, Joshua Kimmich claimed Ecuador ‘deserved’ all three points, insisting that they showed more desire to win. The result marked Ecuador’s first win over a European opponent since 2013.
“The atmosphere was amazing. You could feel that there were many people from Ecuador,’ captain Joshua Kimmich told reporters. “The difference today was that the opponent wanted to win more than us, and you can really feel it, especially in the second half. This is why they won today, really deserved.”
Elsewhere, the result ended the European side’s 11-match winning run, one shy of the team record in 1979-80.
Edited by Ezekiel Olamide