What is the story about?
The group stage is in the books and the knockout round has officially kicked off! Here’s a look back at how the Dortmund players faired in their last game before entering the round of 32. Plus here’s some fast facts about Germany historically at the World Cup.
All players stats courtesy of FotbMob.
Monday, June 22nd
Argentina 2-0 Austria
Marcel Sabitzer (MID), Austria
- Minutes played: 90
- Goals: 0
- Accurate passes: 30/41
- Shots: 3
- Corners: 3
- Tackles: 1
- Interceptions: 1
- Recoveries: 3
- Performance: Along with the rest of the Austrian midfield, Sabitzer struggled to break through Argentina’s resolute defensive setup. It was a quiet and obviously challenging performance going up against the #1 FIFA team in the world.
- Rating: 7/10
Carney Chukwuemeka (CM), Austria
- Minutes played: 5+
- Rating: N/A
Algeria 2-1 Jordan
Ramy Bensebaini (DEF), Algeria
- Minutes played: 90
- Goals: 0
- Accurate passes: 69/79
- Tackles: 6
- Clearances: 4
- Interceptions: 3
- Recoveries: 7
- Ground duels won: 8/9
- Aerial duels won: 4/8
- Performance: Bensebaini put in a Man of the Match type performance for Algeria during their crucial 2-1 comeback win. Winning 12 duels throughout the match, while at times serving as the main launchpad for Algeria’s buildup play, with 98 combined touches, the Dortmund centerback was terrific.
- Rating: 9/10
Norway 3-2 Senegal
Julian Ryerson (DEF), Norway
- Minutes played: 13
- Performance: Ryerson was forced off with a minor thigh muscle injury just 11 minutes into the game against Senegal. He was kept out of the match against France on Friday and is doubtful against Ivory Coast in Norway’s Round of 32 matchup tomorrow.
- Rating: N/A
Wednesday, June 24th
Switzerland 2-1 Canada
Gregor Kobel (GK), Switzerland
- Minutes played: 90
- Goals conceded: 1
- Saves: 6
- Diving saves: 3
- Accurate passes: 40/46
- Performance: While he was denied a clean sheet, Kobel was the anchor of the Swiss defense, making multiple vital stops under heavy Canadian pressure to secure the top spot in Group B. With 62 touches, he was was once again heavily involved in Switzerland’s build-up play throughout the match. Up next in the round of 32 on Thursday? Algeria and Kobel’s Borussia counterpart Bensebaini.
- Rating: 8/10
Thursday, June 25th
Ecuador 2-1 Germany
Felix Nmecha (CM), Germany
- Minutes played: 64
- Goals: 0
- Accurate passes: 21/25
- Shots: 2
- Tackles: 1
- Duels won: 3/6
- Performance: Throughout the match, Nmecha struggled to find his rhythm or assert dominance in the center of the pitch. In the 9th minute, the midfielder made a critical mistake losing possession in his teams’ own half, allowing Ecuador’s Nilson Angulo to seize the ball and drill a low 20-yard strike past Manuel Neuer to tie the game. Ecuador’s energetic midfield duo of Alan Franco and Moisés Caicedo consistently closed down Nmecha’s space, making it difficult for him to progress the ball effectively, while defensively the German midfielders made a minimal impact. While the game clearly meant everything to Ecuador – needing the win to advance – it was a disappointing outing for the Nmecha, who to that point had been outstanding for his country.
- Rating: 5/10
Maximilian Beier (CM), Germany
- Minutes played: 26
- Goals: 0
- Accurate passes: 4/9
- Touches: 16
- Duels won: 1/4
- Performance: From one Dortmund player to the next! Beier made his official 2026 FIFA World Cup debut in the 64th minute, subbing on for the aforementioned Nmecha. Julian Nagelsmann sought to inject fresh attacking energy. But the central midfielder didn’t get much going, in his limited opportunity. He did however almost latch on to the end of a cross in the 74th minute from RB Leipzig’s David Raum. The cross was fizzed across goal from the left back but Beier wasn’t able to make any contact. You could debate if the ball was played slightly behind him, but regardless having a chance just outside the six yard box is something he’ll be dreaming about capitalizing on if he gets the opportunity in the knockout round. Nonetheless, this served as valuable experience for the 23-year-old going forward.
- Rating: 6/10
Waldemar Anton (DEF), Germany
- Did not play
Japan 1-1 Sweden
Daniel Svensson (DEF), Sweden
- Minutes played: 15
- Goals: 0
- Accurate passes: 9/11
- Touches: 13
- Performance: Upon being subbed in, Svensson operated primarily as a left wing back, focused largely on retaining possession and maintaining Sweden’s structural shape as they held onto the draw.
- Rating: 7/10. Is that too high of a rating for only 15 minutes of action? Yeah probably, but he didn’t hurt his team, and as a fellow (partial) Swede I’m feeling generous.
Friday, June 26th
France 4 – 1 Norway
Julian Ryerson (DEF), Norway
- See above. Did not play due to injury.
Saturday, June 27th
Algeria 3 – 3 Austria
Marcel Sabitzer (MID), Austria
- Minutes played: 90
- Goals: 1
- Accurate passes: 19/23
- Shots: 1
- Corners: 2
- Accurate crosses: 3/6
- Tackles: 2
- Interceptions: 2
- Recoveries: 3
- Ground duels won: 3/6
- Performance: Sabitzer’s fantastic first-time finish in the 54th minute at the top of the box provided Austria a 2-1 lead, in a thriller of a match. His clinical finish and offensive quality on the biggest stage were vital in securing the point Austria needed to advance. Both teams traded stoppage time goals in a wild finish, but it was Sabitzer’s composure throughout that’s proved why he is one of the pillars of Ralf Rangnick’s side.
- Rating: 8/10
Carney Chukwuemeka (CM), Austria
- Did not play.
Ramy Bensebaini (DEF), Algeria
- Minutes played: 90
- Goals: 0
- Accurate passes: 128/134
- Tackles: 0
- Clearances: 2
- Recoveries: 4
- Duels won: 0/2
- Performance: Again, wild game. If you’re a defender for either side just torch the tape. Bensebaini took more touches than anyone else on the field, with a whopping 141(!). It was a grueling evening, but his grit helped ensure the Desert Warriors secured passage to the Round of 32. Survive and advance.
- Rating: 6/10
Fun facts about Germany in the World Cup
As Germany begins its next stage of the knockout rounds today, I thought it would be fun to look at a few historical facts about DFB-Elf in the World Cup. Just adding a few, so let us know in the comments which ones I left out or are some of your favorites.
- The 12-Year Final Phenomenon: Beginning after the end of World War II, Germany appeared in a World Cup final almost exactly every 12 years (1954, 1966, 1974, 1982, 1986, 1990, and 2002), culminating in their 2014 championship. Four-time winners (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014) and four-time runner-ups (1966, 1982, 1986, 2002).
- The Record Semifinalist: Germany holds the all-time record for the most semifinal appearances with 13. No other country has reached more than 11.
- The Saudi Arabia Rout: Germany’s biggest World Cup win was an 8-0 blowout of Saudi Arabia in the 2002 group stage, featuring a hat trick by Miroslav Klose.
- Highest-Scoring Chaos: The highest-scoring match in German World Cup history was a wild 8-3 defeat to Hungary during the 1954 group stage. In a true testament to tournament unpredictability, Germany went on to beat that very same Hungarian team in the final!
- Most goals of any nation (for now): Germany has scored more goals (239) than any other country across the history of the competition, just ahead of Brazil (238).
All facts compiled from Wikipedia
How far do you think Germany will advance?
- Losing today to Paraguay – Round of 32
- Round of 16
- Quarterfinals
- Semi-finals
- Finals – continuing the 12 year final phenomenon
- Champions
