Another World Cup fiasco for Germany.
The big nation fell to Paraguay after a crazy penalty drama.
– I want to apologize, says Kai Havertz.
Germany usually likes penalty kicks in the World Cup. Throughout history, they had won all four they faced (1982, 1986, 1990, 2006).
The streak ended against Paraguay.
Germany lost the shootout 3–4 (1–1) and is thus eliminated from the WC. Paraguay is now through to the round of 16 – where either France or Sweden await.
– I don’t have much to say. This is my second World Cup and we have failed to progress twice in a row. I want to apologize for that. We are all disappointed. We had big plans for this championship, says Germany’s Havertz.
Joy
Paraguay had several chances to decide but after two misses by Antonio Sanabria and Fabian Balbuena, Germany was invited into the match.
Jonathan Tah ended up missing his penalty and then Paraguay’s José Canale decided.
Paraguay’s goalkeeper Orlando Gill played great and made two saves during the penalty shootout.
– It is difficult to describe what we feel. I’m proud of my teammates, of the team. We deserve another match in this championship, says Gustavo Gomez according to the BBC.
– We dedicate victory to the Paraguayan people.
Sawing
Germany has a dark World Cup result since winning the title in 2014. In 2018 and 2022, they went out in the group stage and this year it was no more than a round of 16.
– This is a failure, says Bojan Djordjic in SVT.
– It is difficult to explain how Germany entered this tournament with so many problems, it is unacceptable. It doesn’t look good for Julian Nagelsmann, says former German national team midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger in the BBC.
“Another WC disaster”writes German Sky Sports on its website.
“A disastrous performance – Julian Nagelsmann’s team delivered a largely non-existent performance. Slow. Boring. Sluggish”, writes Photo.
After full time, the score was 1-1 after Julio Enciso (42nd minute) and Kai Havertz’s goal (54th minute).
Germany had a goal in the net in extra time but Tah’s header was disallowed after a VAR check. It was judged that the goalkeeper Gill was treated rudely by a German player when the corner was taken.
Germany is out of the World Cup. Photo: PETER CZIBORRA / REUTERS
