Germany suffered an early World Cup exit after a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the round of 32. Despite controlling possession for the majority of the match, the Germans could not overcome a resilient Paraguayan side, resulting in a 1-1 draw after extra time.
Julio Enciso scored first for Paraguay, but Kai Havertz leveled the match with a header in the second half. A late goal by Jonathan Tah was controversially disallowed by VAR, forcing the game to penalties. Germany, previously unbeaten in four World Cup shootouts, faltered as both Havertz and Nick Woltemade had their shots saved, while Tah missed his attempt.
This loss marks the third consecutive major tournament failure for Germany, casting significant doubt on Julian Nagelsmann’s future as head coach. While Nagelsmann expressed a desire to continue, critics and former players have questioned the team’s lack of competitive edge and tactical identity. Analysts noted that while Germany continues to emphasize technical skill, the squad has lost its intimidating presence on the international stage.
