Germany’s torrid run at the World Cup continued in dismal fashion overnight, as they were knocked out of the tournament in the Round of 32 by Paraguay on penalties; a loss that means Germany haven’t won a knockout match at the World Cup since they won the tournament last in 2014, courtesy of Mario Gotze’s winning goal in Brazil. Paraguay took the lead just before half-time, former Brighton alum Julio Enciso headed past a despondent Manuel Neuer, but Germany were level ten minutes into the second half, Liverpool’s big money summer signing from 2025, Florian Wirtz, whipped in a cross that Kai Havertz nodded in at the far post. The game was level, but for the remaining 35 minutes, Germany didn’t challenge a Paraguay defence which was incredibly well set up, and if they got close, 6’6 goalkeeper Orlando Gill was there to smother any chance of a German winning moment. Extra time proved to be highly pivotal, tempers rose in the sweltering Boston summer, as Germany had a goal disallowed in the 102nd minute due to a foul on Gill by Borussia Dortmund defender Waldermar Anton in the buildup to the corner Jonathan Tah headed home thinking he’d won it. Cynical fouls soon followed from both sides as the referee took five names in his book before the end of the match, which resulted in a penalty shootout. Germany won the toss and took the first kick; but Arsenal’s Kai Havertz meekly put his effort down the right hand side of the goal, giving Gill an easy stop. That was followed by Paraguay scoring their first three spot-kicks and Germany scoring their next two, leaving the score at 2-3 before Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade stepped up to keep the score within reach of the Germans. His run-up was slow, and his shot was poor; Gill saved the tame effort by diving to his left hand side. So Paraguay could win it and dump Germany out in incredible fashion, but Antonio Sanabria fired wide, and Fabian Balbuena had his shot saved, putting control back in the hands of Jonathan Tah of Bayern Munich, however his penalty was abysmal; fired into the crowd, allowing Jose Canale to start a memorable night of celebration for the Paraguyans, who won the shootout 4-3.
Julian Nagelsmann, Germany boss, does want to continue, saying he’s
not someone who runs away
but the pressure on his shoulders is surely too great for him to carry on. In the other games last night, Brazil staged a late fightback to come from behind, beating Japan 2-1 thanks to a 96th minute winner from Arsenal player Gabriel Martinelli, and the Netherlands are out too, losing to 2022 semi-finalists Morocco 3-2 on penalties. Tonight sees Didier Deschamps and France face off against Sweden, led by the strike force of Liverpool’s Alexander Isak and Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres from 10pm in New Jersey, but before that, Norway, who made key alterations for their last group game against France, have fresh legs for their match against the Ivory Coast; and in a match England fans will be looking firward to, co-hosts Mexico play Ecuador in a match that’ll decide England’s opponents if they get past DR Congo tomorrow evening at 5pm.
Luke Watson will be keeping us up to date on World Cup 2026
