By Amaechi Agbo

2014 champions, Germany have been knocked out of the World Cup with a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the round of 32.

Jonathan Tah missed the decisive sudden-death spot-kick, which allowed Jose Canale to fire Paraguay to a 4-3 shootout win after the game had finished 1-1 following normal and extra-time.

After Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade both missed earlier on in the shootout, the Central American nation passed up their first two opportunities to win the marathon match.

Antonio Sanabria and Fabian Balbuena failed to convert, as Germany dragged themselves level to force sudden death.

But ultimately Julian Nagelsmann came out second best, as they fell to an historic defeat.

This was the first ever time the four-time champions have lost a World Cup penalty shootout, having won all of their previous four.

The game went to extra time after Kai Havertz’s header cancelled out Julio Enciso’s surprise opener, with Tah then seeing a header controversially ruled out by VAR in extra time.

Germany’s shock exit sees their World Cup woes continue, who have been eliminated early on each occasion since their 2014 triumph.

In both 2018 and 2022, they failed to progress beyond the group stage, but sailed through to the knockouts this time around.

Nagelsmann’s side had topped Group E to banish their past demons, but looked far from the challengers they were tipped to be against Paraguay.

They struggled to break down the Central American nation, only managing to force extra-time thanks to Havertz’s second-half equaliser.

And while Germany suffered unwanted history as they finally fell victim to a shootout defeat, their opponents celebrated a first of their own.

Paraguay had never won a World Cup knockout match before, and will now face either France or Sweden in Philadelphia on July 4 for a place in the quarter-finals.

Reactions:
Paraguay defender Gustavo Gomez: “I think that what we are feeling right now is really hard to explain. I am really proud of my colleagues, of the team. We deserved one more game and to be honest.

“I think, considering everything that was said, everything we went through, what I want to highlight from my team is how united we are. We are incredibly strong.

“Today was a game where we needed to show our true colours as the Paraguayan team. Germany knew it would be really hard for them. They knew we would fight not to be defeated. We dedicate this to all the people of Paraguay.”

Germany forward Kai Havertz: “I don’t have much to say. This is now my second World Cup and we’ve missed moving onto the next round twice now in a row. I want to apologise for that. We are all very disappointed. We had many plans for this year’s World Cup. It is not a very good feeling to disappoint again. The team tried a lot.

“One goal was disallowed. We had a very strong opponent; it was difficult to create chances and keep the pace. The Paraguayan team defended very deep and it was difficult to run for a long time. We tried to move over the flanks but unfortunately, it didn’t really work out. I don’t think we deserved to win this time.

“I don’t think we allowed many chances. We were on the ball, in the momentum, especially after the equaliser. We ended up in the shootout. It wasn’t easy because I missed that penalty kick and it’s a 50/50 chance.

“During the tournament, you really have to give it your all. I don’t think we played bad football, but something was always missing and that was the case today as well. As players, we need to look at ourselves and what we can do better. We play for such a big football nation. If you get eliminated early, you don’t deserve to stay.”