Spain dealt Germany their worst defeat in 89 years on Tuesday as a stunning 6-0 victory in Seville sent them through to the Nations League semi-finals. Germany have not been beaten so heavily since losing to Austria by the same scoreline in a friendly in 1931.
“That hurt,” said German midfielder Toni Kroos. “The Spanish team showed us at every turn how it’s done — with and without the ball.” Serge Gnabry added: “There are no excuses. Now we know where we stand.”
Spain were as sublime as Germany were abysmal in Seville, where Ferran Torres scored a brilliant hat-trick to justify his reputation as one of football’s most exciting prospects.
Alvaro Morata and Rodri were also on target to make it 3-0 even before half-time and while Sergio Ramos went off with a hamstring strain, Germany failed to stem the tide.
Instead, Torres grabbed two more and Mikel Oyarzabal added a sixth late on to put the finishing touches to Germany’s second heaviest ever defeat, the only one worse being a 9-0 loss at the hands of England Amateurs in 1909.
Joachim Loew oversaw Germany winning the World Cup in 2014 but, after 14 years in charge, even he will be under serious pressure after a humiliation like this.
“It was a night where we did nothing well,” said Loew. “We lost every important battle.”
Asked if his job was under threat, Loew said: “I trust the players. They are a young team. I am not worried about my job.”