Germany’s World Cup campaign came to a dramatic and painful conclusion in Boston as they were knocked out by Paraguay in a penalty shoot-out, ending the four-time champions’ hopes in stunning fashion.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side were left reeling after a contentious VAR decision in extra time ruled out Jonathan Tah’s goal, which would have put Germany 2-1 ahead. The Round of 32 clash subsequently went to penalties, where misses from Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Tah condemned Germany to a 4-3 defeat in the shoot-out.
The result has placed Nagelsmann under heavy scrutiny, intensifying speculation about his future that had been simmering even before the tournament began.
Despite reaching their first knockout stage in 12 years, this shock loss has plunged German football into crisis. Paraguay’s Jose Canale delivered the decisive spot-kick, sealing a historic victory for the underdogs and setting up a last-16 meeting with either France or Sweden. The result marks Paraguay’s greatest World Cup achievement to date, surpassing their 2010 quarter-final run after years of absence from the tournament.
At just 38, Nagelsmann became the youngest coach to lead a team into a World Cup knockout stage in four decades. He opted for an attack-minded starting XI, handing Deniz Undav—Germany’s top scorer in the competition—his first start of the tournament.
Undav, who had recorded three goals and two assists in the group stage, came close early on with a curling effort as Germany dominated possession. Paraguay, meanwhile, sat deep, absorbed the pressure, and defended resolutely. Despite controlling the ball for most of the half, Germany failed to register a single shot on target before the break.
By the 35th minute, Germany had completed an astonishing 244 passes compared to Paraguay’s 31, yet still struggled to find a breakthrough. Then, following a swift counter-attack led by Miguel Almiron—returning from suspension—Julio Enciso struck with a powerful header to give Paraguay their first-ever goal in a World Cup knockout match.
Paraguay’s small contingent of fans erupted in jubilation, their drums echoing through the stadium as the German supporters fell silent. It was a remarkable first half statistically: no team had ever completed 253 more passes than their opponents in a World Cup match and still trailed at halftime.
Germany responded nine minutes after the restart when Florian Wirtz floated a cross into the box for Havertz to nod home the equaliser. Later, in the 78th minute, Wirtz delivered another pinpoint cross, but Havertz’s header was denied by goalkeeper Orlando Gill, forcing the match into extra time.
Germany thought they had found a winner in the 102nd minute when Tah rose to head in a corner at the far post. However, after an extended VAR check, the goal was disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper. In the ensuing penalty shoot-out, Havertz, Woltemade and Tah all failed to convert their kicks, while Canale held his nerve following two Paraguayan misses to send his side through.
As Paraguay celebrated a landmark triumph, a dejected Germany were left to confront yet another early World Cup exit, their dominance in possession and passing rendered meaningless by their failure to finish the job.
