Germany played third place
“Topic refusal”: Nagelsmann walks against the referee
08.06.2025 – 6:31 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
In the game for third place in the Nations League, Germany remains without a goal. The video assistant’s intervention also has a decisive part.
After the National League game against France, national coach Julian Nagelsmann has excited himself about the behavior of referee Ivan Kružliak in the supposed German balance. “It is a violation of the referee. He stands two meters next to it and judges the scene as no foul. Then he goes out and watches six minutes of video,” said Nagelsmann after the 0: 2 in the game for third place. The 37-year-old titled the scene as a “topic refusal”.
What happened? Niclas Füllkrug and Adrien Rabiot got into a duel for France at 1-0. The striker was able to decisively disturb the Frenchman in front of his own sixteen – and put the ball towards Deniz Undav. As a result, the Stuttgarter scored the 1-1. Shortly afterwards the video assistant (Var) switched on. Referee Ivan Kružliak stepped onto the screen after a few minutes and took the goal back.
“This is not the meaning of the var. It is 2.30 meters away from the situation, he has a great view. This is not a clear wrong decision,” said Nagelsmann. In addition to his anger, the national coach was also insightful, but the referee is sorry for him in such situations.
Superstar Kylian Mbappé (45th minute) and Bavaria Michael Olise (84th) brought the decision with their goals. After a strong first half, Germany owed it to goalkeeper Marc-André Ter Stegen in front of 51,313 spectators that it was no longer a goal.
On Wednesday, the DFB team lost its semi-finals in Munich 1-2 against Portugal. At the fourth edition, it was the first time that Germany was able to qualify for the final four tournament. France was already the title holder in 2020/21 and this time failed with a spectacular 4: 5 against Spain in the semi -finals.