Germany 1 – 1 Paraguay

Germany lost in a World Cup penalty shoot-out for the first time as they crashed out of the last 32 to Paraguay.

Kai Havertz canceled out Julio Encio’s first-half opener, but the Arsenal forward, along with Newcastle’s Nick Oltemed, had their spot-kicks saved by Orlando Gill before Bayern Munich defender Jonathan Tah blazed over, allowing Jose Canale to set up a last-16 tie against France or Sweden.

Germany have not won a World Cup knockout tie since winning the competition for the fourth time in 2014 and were harshly denied by a controversial VAR decision in the second half of extra time when Gill’s powerful header from a corner was ruled out for a soft foul on Waldemar Anton.

But Julian Nagelsmann’s side put in a disappointing first-half display as they failed to get a shot on target and went into the break despite having 78 per cent possession.

They could only improve, winning all four of their World Cup shoot-outs, yet to rely on penalties, even as Paraguay squandered two chances to win as Antonio Sanabria sent his effort wide and Manuel Neuer saved from Fabian Balbuena in an epic finale.

How Germany lost their first ever World Cup shoot-out…

• 0-0: Havertz denied! Gill makes a high save to his left.
• 0-1: Advantage Paraguay! Mauricio buries it in the bottom right.

• 1-1: No mistake! Kimchi is evenly chilled.
• 1-2: Back to the front! Gomez sends Nuer the wrong way.
• 2-2: Mushila level! A solid strike in the corner.
• 2-3: Cool as you like! Galarza steers his effort into the bottom left corner.
• 2-3: Save! Oltemed is denied! Paraguay have a chance to win…

• 2-3: Missed! Sanabria sends his spot kick wide of the left post. Germany still need to score…
• 3-3: Still alive! Amiri keeps Germany, but Paraguay have another chance to win it…
• 3-3: NEUER saves! A huge stop from the keeper, dives to his left. Sudden death…

• 3-3: Miss that! Wow, the centre-back is on fire to give Paraguay another chance to win…
• 3-4: They did it! Canal crushed to see off Germany!

Havertz apologized after the loss

Germany striker Kai Havertz said:

“I am a little lost for words. This is my second World Cup and both times it has failed. All I can do is apologise.

“We have to take a hard look at ourselves, especially the players, and I leave the coach out of that.”

Gomez: We can face any situation

Paraguayan defender Gustavo Gomez said:

“The feeling is hard to explain. I am very proud of my teammates, of the group.

“I was most impressed by our unity. We have incredible strength to deal with any situation. Germany knew they had to work incredibly hard to defeat us.”

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