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WC Qualification Europe
FT
1 - 2
(0 - 1)
Germany
Macedonia
İ. Gündoğan (63)
G. Pandev (45), E. Elmas (85)

Reactions to DFB-XI loss:
Gündogan "at a loss for words", Löw reports "tremendous disappointment"

By Peter Weis   @PeterVicey

The German Nationalmannschaft suffered their first defeat in a World Cup Qualifying Match since the 2001 1-5 defeat to England on Wednesday evening. 

After the match, Jogi Löw understandably stood grim when facing the cameras. 
Joachim Löw.
Joachim Löw.Photo: Granada, CC-by-SA 4.0
A shock 1-2 defeat to the 65th ranked footballing nation in the world was certainly not part of the plan for Jaochim Löw's farewell tour. A 35-fixture-unbeaten streak spanning two decades came to an end on Wednesday in Duisburg. The 60-year-old trainer's final WC qualifier proved the first defeat in a qualifier in nearly 20 years for the German national team.


"The disappointment is tremendous," Löw said in initial post-match remarks to German broadcaster RTL, "It difficult to undertake an analysis right now."

The man Löw tasked with donning the captain's armband also found himself short of explanations in a post-match interview. Ilkay Gündogan definitely appeared much more composed that he did following a disappointing draw with Switzerland in the Nations League in September, but only resignation took the place of impassioned speech this time

"That must not happen," Gündogan said of the defensive lapse that led to North Macedonia's opening goal, "I'm at a loss for words."

Reporters got a little more out of the soon-to-be ex-Bundestrainer. When asked about Timo Werner's spurning of an 80th minute opportunity that would have put the Germans ahead, Löw tersely remarked "Timo has to hit that one."

"We looked tired in our actions today," Germany's long time head-coach concluded in closing remarks, "we didn't look fresh. We brought it on ourselves."



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