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Joshua Kimmich has taken full responsibility following Germany’s early exit from the World Cup after a penalty shootout loss to Paraguay in the round of 32. The defender admitted that the team never reached their top form during the tournament and stressed that the players themselves were solely accountable for the disappointing outcome.

Germany bow out after shootout defeat to Paraguay

Germany’s World Cup journey came to a close in the round of 32, as they were defeated by Paraguay on penalties following 120 tense and goalless minutes. The result marked yet another frustrating tournament for Julian Nagelsmann’s side. Kimmich faced the press immediately after the match, expressing his frustration and disappointment without restraint.

Honest reflection from Kimmich

Instead of focusing solely on the penalty shootout, the Bayern Munich star reflected on Germany’s overall showing throughout the competition. He admitted that the team never displayed their best football and acknowledged that the early elimination accurately reflected their performances across the tournament.

“It feels terrible and not good,” Kimmich admitted. “We didn’t play at our best against any opponent. On three occasions, we struggled massively against teams who were not world-class. That’s the truth. We completely deserved this elimination.”

No excuses from the German camp

Kimmich also offered an unflinching assessment of Germany’s failure, insisting that the team had fallen far below the standards expected of them. He emphasised that the blame lay entirely with the players and not with the coaching staff or any external factors.

“We are here to make Germany proud,” he said. “As a child, I used to watch Germany reach the semifinals and the final. Sadly, we couldn’t deliver that to the fans back home.

“I think people in Germany need something to be proud of right now – unfortunately, that’s not the national team. We, the players on the pitch, let everyone down, and we must take full responsibility. It wasn’t the coach’s fault, it wasn’t the media’s fault, it wasn’t the referee’s fault, and it wasn’t the opponent’s fault. It was entirely our fault.”

Another disappointing chapter for Germany

This latest World Cup exit adds to Germany’s ongoing struggles on the big stage. After group-stage eliminations in 2018 and 2022, another campaign has ended far earlier than expected. The focus will now shift to how Nagelsmann and his players respond to yet another setback. Their task will be to identify and resolve the issues revealed during the tournament and to restore the high standards long associated with one of international football’s most storied nations.