Germany suffered a 2–1 defeat to North Macedonia on Wednesday, beating the hosts for their first World Cup qualifying defeat in 20 years and pressure on coach Joachim Löw. “The disappointment is huge,” said Loew, a crestfallen after the final whistle in Diesburg. Germany’s level was drawn by Ilke Gundogan’s penalty after 37-year-old striker Goran Pandey’s first half opener, after which Napoli midfielder Elgif Elmas scored the winner five minutes from time. The four-time world champion never failed to qualify for football’s biggest tournament, but did not enter the inaugural edition in 1930 and was banned in 1950.
However, Lowe’s man is already third in the Group J table, three points behind leaders Armenia and the Macedonian on goal difference.
Following Germany’s first World Cup qualifying defeat after being notorious 5–1 by England in 2001, Loew said that we had a good base after the first two matches (wins over Iceland and Romania).
“The goal was nine points and the fact we gave was our own fault.”
The loss was a fresh setback by Germany after a 6–0 embarrassing 6–0 by Spain last November and the shock World-Cup loss at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The loss, which ended the 18-match winning streak in World Cup qualifying, would put more pressure on Lou, who would leave the post after Euro 2020 in July, 15 years later.
“The fact is, that this should not be allowed to happen,” Gundogan, the stand-in captain.
“It felt like North Macedonia only got to our goal twice and scored twice – it was very easy. We had chances and scored only one goal.”
Germany will not be in action again until the Euro 2020 warm-up matches in June, ahead of a tricky group-stage campaign in the tournament, with holders playing against Portugal, reigning world champions France and Hungary.
“It hurts everybody, which won’t happen for two months,” Gundogan said.
“We have to get in top shape by the end of May and prepare for the tournament.”
The result will also face Chelsea striker Timo Werner, who equalized with a score of 1–1 after coming off the bench in the second half.
Gundogan admitted, “I feel sorry for him (for Werner).”
The former RB Leipzig striker, who has now scored just two goals in his final 31 matches for club and country, missed the ball completely from Gundogan’s square pass in the 80th minute.
– Pandavas attacked –
North Macedonia ranks 65th in the world, 52 places below Germany, but it was visitors who led it.
Germany were made to pay for a number of early opportunities, including a skid shot by Bayern Munich winger Serge Gunbury with a goal at their mercy.
In extra time at the end of the first half, the veteran Pandav scored his 38th international goal.
Germany suffered a failure in winning the World Cup qualifier for the first time since a 4–4 draw at home to Sweden in 2012.
With Gundogan one hour, Manuel Neuer rested for the night with the captain of Germany, stepping up to convert a penalty after Leroy Sane went down in the area.
Following Werner’s Howler, North Macedonia took their chance when Dinamo Zagreb’s Arzin Ademi defeated Werner’s Chelsea teammate Antonio Riediger and shot Germany goalkeeper Mark-Andre ter Stegen for Elmas.
Prior to kick-off, the Germans revealed a banner with the words “Wir sind 30” (we’re 30) in black-red-gold lettering, which spoke of the UN’s 30-point declaration of human rights was.
Promoted
This was the third straight match where the Germans staged a protest aimed at Qatar, the host of the 2022 World Cup.
Qatar has faced criticism for its treatment of migrant workers, many of whom are involved in preparations for next year’s tournament, while Qatari officials say they worked more than any country in the region to improve labor welfare Have done
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