Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade, and Jonathan Tarr faced major challenges in the penalty shootout, leading to the surprising elimination of four-time champions Germany by 34th-ranked Paraguay on Monday.
This loss marked Germany as the first high-profile team to exit the World Cup in the round of 32, following a 1-1 draw at Foxborough, Massachusetts, that culminated in a tense penalty shootout.
Paraguay had two opportunities to secure victory before Jose Canale triumphed in sudden death penalties.
Julio Enciso opened the scoring for Paraguay in the 42nd minute. However, Havertz equalized for Germany just 12 minutes into the second half. A goal by Tarr was subsequently disallowed by VAR, adding to Germany’s frustrations.
Following the match, Paraguay’s goalkeeper Orlando Gil explained the team’s strategy. He noted, “We had to analyze every player in detail. Thanks to that, we were able to miss only two penalties,” emphasizing the victory’s significance for Paraguayan fans.
Canale remarked on the unity within the team, stating the match displayed their true spirit. “I think we should have played one more game. After everything we’ve faced, I want to emphasize how united we are,” he said.
Germany has historically excelled in penalty shootouts, winning six of their last seven in major competitions and boasting an undefeated record in World Cup penalties until this match. Their only prior encounter with Paraguay in World Cup history was in 2002, when Germany won 1-0 in the knockout stage; nearly 25 years later, Paraguay avenged that defeat.
Paraguay has consistently performed well in international tournaments, reaching the finals five times but failing to score during those appearances. Their previous successful advancement was in the 2010 South Africa tournament, where they overcame Japan in penalties before losing to eventual champions Spain in the quarterfinals.
This match represented Germany’s first World Cup knockout stage game since their victorious run in 2014 against Argentina. Following two consecutive group stage exits in the prior tournaments, this defeat marks a significant setback for the German national team.
Havertz expressed disappointment about the outcome, acknowledging the difficulty in creating scoring opportunities and maintaining momentum throughout the match. Paraguay’s strategic play, particularly after taking the lead just before half-time, added pressure on the Germans, who dominated possession with 78% in the opening half but struggled to convert that into decisive scoring.
Germany finally equalized in the 54th minute with a header from Havertz, who connected with Florian Wirtz’s cross. Nevertheless, the team couldn’t find a winning goal before penalties were called.
As Germany intensified their efforts during extra time, Tarr believed he had scored until VAR intervened. In the closing moments, Gil made a crucial save from Havertz’s header, keeping Paraguay in the match. With tensions running high in the penalty shootout, Havertz and Woltemade both faltered, putting Germany on the brink of elimination. A glimmer of hope appeared when Neuer saved Fabian Balbuena’s attempt, but Tarr’s miss sealed Germany’s fate as Canale scored the decisive penalty.
Paraguay will advance to face the winner of the upcoming match between France and Sweden in the Round of 16, scheduled for Saturday in Philadelphia.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
