Alan Shearer gives brutal Florian Wirtz response after Germany booted out of World Cup

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Florian Wirtz has come under heavy fire for failing to deliver for Germany at the World Cup following their shock World Cup exit at the hands of Paraguay in Boston. The Liverpool star's performance was broken down by Alan Shearer , who singled out the Reds star among others as players who underperformed after Julian Nagelsmann's team were stunned by their South American opponents.

Paraguay, who are 41st in FIFA's world rankings, took the lead through Julio Enciso in the first half before Arsenal's Kai Havertz glanced home from Wirtz's teasing delivery for Germany. Jonathan Tah thought he had snatched victory for the 2014 world champions, but his goal was controversially chalked off after VAR officials adjudged goalkeeper Orlando Gill to have been fouled moments earlier.

As the game headed to penalties, Havertz and Newcastle forward Nick Woltemade both saw their penalties saved by Gill. Paraguay had two chances to seal the win only for Antonio Sanabria and Fabian Balbuena to miss from the spot. But even with a third lifeline, Tah blazed over and that allowed Jose Canale to claim a memorable victory, winning 4-3 on penalties.

Speaking on Netflix show The Rest is Football, Shearer turned on Wirtz, who despite registering an assist struggled to influence the game in the crucial moments. "They've got the quality in names and on paper, but they just didn't deliver," the England icon said.

"You look at [Leroy] Sane, not a great season. [Denis] Undav they had to bring in to try and give them some oomph in and around the penalty area. Wirtz has had a terrible season at Liverpool, he hasn't performed again at this World Cup.

"So it's alright saying they've got the quality, but the quality wasn't there. We've seen them put seven past Curacao , well that's alright - but when it really mattered, the quality wasn't there at all."

When it was put to Shearer by Micah Richards that his £116million transfer to Liverpool proves Wirtz "has got the quality", Shearer interjected: "What's he done this season?" Richards hit back: "He's a superstar. We've not seen the best of him, totally agree with that, but we can't say he's not a good player.

"Havertz has scored in Champions League finals [in 2021 and 2026]. He's just won the Premier League . Tah gets his big move and goes to Bayern Munich , [Antonio] Rudiger at Madrid is a consistent performer. Young [Nathaniel] Brown doing really well. So I agree in terms of what they produced, I think that's very fair to say. But we can't say this German team hasn't got quality."

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It's the first time in history that Germany have lost a penalty shootout at a World Cup and their first defeat from the 12-yard spot at international level since 1976. Germany's shock elimination comes after they demolished Curacao 7-1 in their opening game, before beating the Ivory Coast 2-1 and losing to Ecuador by the same scoreline.

Despite their embarrassing round of 32 exit, head coach Julian Nagelsmann insisted he wouldn't "run away" by resigning from his post. "When you exit the World Cup after you play Paraguay it is very bitter. It is very hurtful," he said. "This is the third elimination in a row, so we are not part of the first-class teams any more.

"If we're going to do a survey today in Germany, people are not going to speak about me positively obviously. I did feel the support in the stadium. I don't think everyone in Germany will agree with me staying on and continuing as manager of the team.

"I'd like to praise all the German fans who came to the stadium. I expected a totally different reaction from them but it was amazing and impressive the way they supported us, even after the defeat.

"I'm not going to step back only because we are eliminated. If the DFB [German Football Association] want me to continue, I am going to continue. I know how the industry works and a lot of people now want me to leave. I want to continue if the German FA wants me to."

Nagelsmann's defiant stance did not resonate with former Germany internationals Thomas Hitzlsperger and Arne Friedrich, who both agreed that the tournament outlook will put the 38-year-old under immense pressure. Germany have failed to make it to the last-16 in each of their last three finals appearances.

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Hitzlsperger, speaking on BBC One, said: "It's hard to explain how Germany got into this tournament with so many problems. It's unacceptable. It doesn't look good for Nagelsmann. In the last few months, he hasn't dealt with situations well. With the expanded World Cup format, to go out so early would be tough to take for any big nation."

Freidrich, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, added: "If you consider the whole tournament, the way we played, it is a deserved loss. Nagelsmann has to face the consequences. It is very disappointing, but that is sport. I would definitely say the journey continues without Nagelsmann."

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