Germany were knocked out in the round of 16 by Paraguay (1-1, 4-3 on penalties), having shown too many weaknesses throughout the match and the tournament. This is another bitter failure for die Nationalmannschaft, who had already been eliminated in the group stage of the last two World Cups. Paraguay could face France in the next round.
The contrast was striking: Paraguayans danced in front of their bench, turned toward the stands where hundreds of supporters celebrated them. The Germans, meanwhile, all retreated to their technical area, some lying down, faces in their hands. The Nationalmannschaft was eliminated in the round of 16 of the World Cup after a match of rare poverty but with some drama right up to the penalty shootout (1-1, 4-3 on penalties).
The expected balance of power set in from the start: Germany monopolised the ball to an astonishing degree (over 80% possession) but struggled to create danger. It sometimes resembled a French Cup match, and the Paraguayan underdogs surprised the whole stadium by scoring through Enciso (42′). Julian Nagelsmann made only one adjustment at half-time (Goretzka for Nmecha), and the Germans had the merit of equalising quickly through Havertz (54′).
But overall they did too little to trouble Paraguay, except for another Havertz header (78′) and one from Goretzka (86′). They thought they had found release in extra time when Tah converted a corner from Brown (102′), but the referee disallowed the goal after a VAR review. The qualification ultimately came down to penalties, and in that exercise the Paraguayans were the most precise and mentally strong to secure their place in the next round.
Player: José Canale (Paraguay)
It took nerves of steel through a rollercoaster penalty shootout. After two missed match points for Paraguay, José Canale stepped up with another chance at his feet. The centre-back did not tremble and sent his country to the round of 16 paradise (1-1, 4-3 on penalties). He had already been impeccable alongside captain Gustavo Gomez in an unyielding central defence, breached only once by Havertz (54′). Canale perfectly handled the different striker profiles he faced (Undav, Havertz, Woltemade). Then he became the hero of his team.
Fact: Paraguay awaits France
What if France meet Paraguay in the round of 16 of a World Cup? If they qualify against Sweden this Tuesday, les Bleus will face the South American team at this stage in a replay of their 1998 encounter at Stade Bollaert in Lens. Aimé Jacquet’s men had to fight until extra time to overcome Paraguay thanks to a golden goal (a rule since abandoned) by Laurent Blanc at the end of the match.
