A widely criticised post published by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz following the national team's shock World Cup exit was "the result of a communication error," a government spokesman confirmed in Berlin on Wednesday.
Merz has faced a huge backlash over the post made after Germany lost 4-3 on penalties against Paraguay in the last 32 on Monday.
"Even though the elimination hurts: What a game," the German leader wrote on X.
"With your dedication and team spirit at this World Cup, you've inspired our country. We're proud of you."
The upbeat response had many social media users questioning whether they had watched the same game as the chancellor.
The Bild tabloid accused Merz of making "a fool of himself," while other German media described the performance against Paraguay as a "tragedy," a "disgrace" and "a damning indictment of German football."
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a European Union lawmaker for the pro-business Free Democratic Party, reposted Merz's comments on X, writing: "I don't know which was worse. The match or this analysis."
A spokesman for Merz on Wednesday stressed that the chancellor had naturally been disappointed by the loss.
"But that’s just the way it is in sport: sometimes you win, sometimes you lose."
Government sources had said on Tuesday evening that the post was the result of a "coordination error" which was "unfortunately very regrettable."
On Wednesday, sources added that several social media posts had been prepared depending on the outcome of the match, noting that this was common practice.
After the match, the "wrong tweet" was posted at the "wrong time," the sources said, adding that while this was extremely frustrating, such things happen.
