Joshua Kimmich labels World Cup group stage knockout ‘worst day of his career’ and fears ‘falling into a hole’ due to failures

Germany star Joshua Kimmich has admitted he fears he will always be associated with his country’s recent ‘failures’ at major tournaments.

After being knocked out in the Round of 16 at Euro 2020, the four-time World Cup winners have now failed to make it past the group stage at Qatar 2022.

Since lifting the World Cup trophy in Brazil in 2014, Germany have been unable to make it out of the group in the following two tournaments.

Bayern Munich defensive midfielder Kimmich featured at Russia 2018, as well as Euro 2020, and the 27-year-old confessed he was concerned his career would now be marred with the failures of the national side.

“For me personally, this is the worst day of my career,” Kimmich said after his side were knocked out, as per German outlet Bild.

“I’m afraid I’ll fall into a hole! It makes you think, these failures are connected to my person.

“We messed up in 2018, then we blew up the Euros last year.”

France and Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann sent him some words of encourage to the German though, tweeting: “You’re a great player, you will be back again Joshua.”

It was all to play for in Group E in the final round of ties on Thursday night as the Germans gave their all to scrape through to group stage after starting the day bottom of the table.

Serge Gnabry headed the 2014 champions into the lead, but Germany missed an abundance of chances in the first half.

Costa Rica took the lead at one stage and looked to be sending both Germany and Spain out to take the last spot as they fired twice to go 2-1 up.

Two efforts from Chelsea’s Kai Havertz and a 89th minute strike from Niclas Fullkrug did seal the German a 4-2 victory in the end.

Ultimately, though, Hansi Flick’s side’s result wasn’t enough to see them through, as Japan’s shock victory over Spain allowed them and the Spaniards to take the qualification spots, leaving Germany to finish third.

Speaking after his side were dumped out of the tournament, Flick – whose future as Germany manager looks uncertain – said they only had themselves to blame.

“I don’t care about different teams, it is all up to us,” he said. “If you look at the matches and number of goals, it is our fault.

“I am convinced we had sufficient chances and possibilities against Japan in the first half and also against Spain, you have to use your chances. It would have been a different situation.

“There were a lot of individual mistakes and they make me very angry. The first half made me very upset and I told the team I was upset.”