Paraguay stun Germany on penalties to end World Cup hopes in round of 32

Germany’s World Cup ended in the round of 32 on Monday as Paraguay eliminated them on penalties in Foxborough, Massachusetts, delivering a second successive early exit for a nation that had arrived in North America hoping to challenge for a fifth world title.

Captain Joshua Kimmich was blunt in his assessment afterwards. “We messed it up,” he told reporters, echoing the helplessness he expressed after Germany’s group-stage exit at Qatar 2022. “All of us who were on the pitch should feel that, rather than looking to blame someone else. We blew it.”

Germany did at least survive the group stage this time — their first time doing so since lifting the trophy in 2014 — but the relief was short-lived. Victories over debutants Curaçao and Ivory Coast were offset by a defeat to Ecuador in the final group game, with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer widely judged to have been at fault for the decisive goal. Neuer, 40, had been controversially recalled from international retirement by coach Julian Nagelsmann just before the tournament began, after months of public denials that he would return, at the expense of Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann.

Nagelsmann also drew criticism for his handling of the attacking options. Forward Deniz Undav, who had contributed three goals and two assists from the bench in the group stage, was handed his first start against Paraguay but could not add to that tally. Nick Woltemade was not introduced until extra time loomed and was among three Germany players to miss in the shootout.

For Paraguay, the victory sparked celebrations on the streets of Asunción, a result widely regarded as a major upset. Few inside the German camp had anticipated the threat they posed. “You have to beat such a team,” Neuer said. “That’s a fact when you want to measure yourself against teams like France.”

Kimmich, 31, reflected on how far the national team has fallen from the standard he grew up watching. “As a child, when you watched the national team during tournaments, it was always semifinals, finals, or world champions. There was always lots of success,” he said, before apologising to supporters.

Nagelsmann has stated his intention to remain as head coach despite the result and the scrutiny over his in-tournament decisions. Whether the German Football Association backs him to continue will likely define the direction of the rebuild ahead of the next cycle.