Germany lose 2-1 to Ecuador in World Cup group finale amid identity questions

Germany fell 2-1 to Ecuador in their final group-stage match, having already qualified. Manager Julian Nagelsmann pushed back on suggestions Ecuador wanted it more, but players including Joshua Kimmich and substitute Deniz Undav said they felt the opposite — a public split that underlines a deeper tension around the team's direction. A manager and his senior players publicly contradicting each other mid-tournament is a sign of real discord in a Germany squad already debating its identity.