Germany eliminated by Paraguay in World Cup penalty shoot-out

Germany's World Cup journey came to a shocking halt as they were eliminated by Paraguay in a penalty shoot-out, marking their first loss in this format at the tournament. Despite a second-half equaliser from Kai Havertz, the team failed to convert crucial penalties, with both Havertz and Nick Woltemade having their attempts saved, while Jonathan Tah missed the decisive kick, allowing Paraguay to progress.

The match saw Germany dominate possession but struggle to create clear chances, ending the first half without a shot on target. A controversial VAR decision also played a part in their exit, as a header from Tah was disallowed for a foul. This defeat means Germany has not won a knockout match in the World Cup since their 2014 triumph.

Paraguay, on the other hand, demonstrated resilience throughout the match. They squandered opportunities to secure victory in regular time, with Antonio Sanabria missing a penalty and Manuel Neuer saving another from Fabian Balbuena. However, they ultimately triumphed in the shoot-out, with Jose Canale scoring the decisive penalty to send them through to the next round.

Germany's head coach Julian Nagelsmann expressed his determination to continue in his role despite the defeat. He acknowledged the need for change but affirmed his commitment to the team. Meanwhile, Havertz apologised for the team's performance, emphasising the need for self-reflection among the players. Paraguay's defender Gustavo Gomez praised his team's unity and strength in overcoming the odds against a historically strong opponent.

via Sky Sports