FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: North Macedonia Hand Germany First World Cup Qualifying Loss In 20 Years

Germany fell to a humiliating 2-1 residence loss to North Macedonia on Wednesday, handing the hosts their first World Cup qualifying defeat in 20 years and piling the stress on coach Joachim Loew. "The disappointment is huge," stated a crestfallen Loew after the ultimate whistle in Duisburg. Napoli midfielder Eljif Elmas scored the winner 5 minutes from time, after Ilkay Gundogan's penalty had drawn Germany degree following 37-year-old striker Goran Pandev's first-half opener. The four-time world champions have by no means did not qualify for soccer's largest match, however didn't enter the inaugural version in 1930 and have been banned in 1950.

Nonetheless, Loew's males are already languishing third within the Group J desk, three factors adrift of leaders Armenia and behind the Macedonians on objective distinction.

"We had a good basis after the first two games (wins over Iceland and Romania)," added Loew after Germany's first World Cup qualifying loss because the notorious 5-1 thrashing by England in 2001.

"The goal was nine points and the fact that we gave that away is our own fault."

The defeat was simply the most recent setback suffered by Germany, after their embarrassing 6-0 drubbing by Spain final November and the shock group-stage exit on the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The loss, which ended an 18-match successful streak in World Cup qualifying, will pile extra stress on Loew, who will step down after Euro 2020 in July after 15 years in cost.

"The fact is, that shouldn't have been allowed to happen," fumed stand-in captain Gundogan.

"It felt as though North Macedonia only got near our goal twice and scored twice -- it was too easy. We had chances and only scored one goal."

Germany won't be in motion once more till Euro 2020 warm-up matches in June, forward of a difficult group-stage marketing campaign on the match, with video games towards holders Portugal, reigning world champions France and Hungary.

"It hurts all the more that not much will happen for two months," stated Gundogan.

"We have to get in top shape by the end of May and prepare for the tournament."

The end result may even weigh on struggling Chelsea striker Timo Werner, who squandered a golden likelihood with the rating 1-1 after coming off the bench within the second half.

"I'm sorry for him (Werner)," admitted Gundogan.

The previous RB Leipzig striker, who has now scored solely two targets in his final 31 appearances for membership and nation, virtually missed the ball fully from Gundogan's sq. cross within the eightieth minute.

- Pandev strikes -
North Macedonia are ranked sixty fifth on the earth, 52 locations beneath Germany, nevertheless it was the guests who took the lead.

Germany have been made to pay for lacking a number of early possibilities, together with a skied shot by Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry with the objective at his mercy.

In added time on the finish of the primary half, veteran Pandev fired residence his thirty eighth worldwide objective.

Germany have been out of the blue confronted with failing to win a World Cup qualifier for the primary time since being held to a 4-4 draw at residence by Sweden in 2012.

With an hour gone Gundogan, Germany's captain for the night time with Manuel Neuer rested, stepped as much as convert a penalty after Leroy Sane went down within the space.

After Werner's howler, North Macedonia took their likelihood when Dinamo Zagreb's Arijan Ademi beat Werner's Chelsea team-mate Antonio Ruediger and squared for Elmas to shoot previous Germany goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Earlier than kick-off, the Germans revealed a banner with the phrases "Wir sind 30" (We're 30), in black-red-gold lettering, referring to the United Nations' 30-point declaration of Human Rights.

Promoted

It was the third straight match the place the Germans have made a protest aimed toward 2023 World Cup hosts Qatar.

Qatar has confronted criticism for its therapy of migrant staff, lots of whom are concerned in preparations for subsequent 12 months's match, whereas Qatari authorities insist they've finished greater than any nation within the area to enhance employee welfare.