Kolkata: Manuel Neuer's 22nd match at the FIFA World Cup marked a turning point for the German goalkeeper, tying Lothar Matthäus and Miroslav Klose for the most World Cup starts for any German player. However, the game quickly turned into a forgettable one for Neuer, who conceded four goals in three group stage matches against lower-ranked sides.
Against Ecuador, Neuer was beaten first by a strike from distance and then from close range, which was symbolic of an ageing goalkeeper and a team relying heavily on him. The loss to Ecuador feels personal, as if football has finally offered a different counterpoint to the Manuel Neuer story.
Neuer's decision to come out of retirement in 2024 was a controversial move, and now more than ever, it seems like a mistake. The immediate casualty of this decision is Oliver Baumann, who was waiting in the wings to play for Germany in the World Cup.
Neuer was still unmistakably himself, but in patches, and his performance against Ecuador was clearly outplayed. The opening goal was a seemingly speculative strike that travelled with enough pace and movement to beat Neuer, while the second goal wasn't entirely his fault as well.
Elite sport rarely announces decline with dramatic gestures, but this was one of those moments Neuer would have probably never imagined. The loss to Ecuador feels like a wake-up call for Neuer and Germany, and it remains to be seen how they will bounce back from this defeat.
