Eliminated in the round of 16 by Paraguay (1-1, 3-4 on penalties), Germany’s campaign ended as it began – riddled with flaws. It is another painful early exit for the Nationalmannschaft, who had already failed to progress past the group stage in the previous two World Cups. Paraguay now await a potential clash with France in the next round.

The scene after the final whistle was a study in contrasts: Paraguayan players celebrated wildly in front of their bench, turning to the stands where hundreds of their supporters roared back. The Germans, meanwhile, sat slumped in their technical area, some lying on the turf with their heads in their hands. Germany were eliminated in the round of 16 of the World Cup after a match short on quality but full of drama, decided by a penalty shootout (1-1, 3-4 on penalties).

From the start, the expected pattern emerged: Germany dominated possession to an astonishing degree (over 80%), yet struggled to create clear chances. It sometimes resembled a cup tie between David and Goliath, and the Paraguayan underdogs stunned the stadium by taking the lead through Enciso in the 42nd minute. Julian Nagelsmann made only one change at halftime (Goretzka for Nmecha), and the Germans responded quickly, equalising through Havertz in the 54th minute.

But that was about all they offered to trouble Paraguay, aside from another Havertz header (78th minute) and one from Goretzka (86th). They thought they had snatched victory in extra time when Tah turned in a corner from Brown (102nd minute), but the referee disallowed the goal after a VAR review. The match went to penalties, and in that test of nerve, Paraguay proved more accurate and mentally stronger to secure their place in the next round.

The player: José Canale (Paraguay)

It took nerves of steel in a roller‑coaster penalty shootout. After Paraguay missed two match‑winning spot‑kicks, José Canale stepped up with a fresh chance at his feet. The central defender did not flinch, sending his country into the last 16 (1-1, 3-4 on penalties). He had already been flawless alongside captain Gustavo Gomez in a rock‑solid central defence, breached only once by Havertz (54th). Canale coped superbly with the different striker profiles he faced (Undav, Havertz, Woltemade) before becoming his team’s hero.

The fact: Paraguay await France

What if France meet Paraguay in a World Cup round‑of‑16 tie? Should Didier Deschamps’ side overcome Sweden on Tuesday, they will face the South Americans at this stage, re‑playing the 1998 encounter between the two nations at the Stade Bollaert in Lens. Aimé Jacquet’s men had to battle through extra time to beat Paraguay thanks to a golden goal (a rule since abolished) from Laurent Blanc at the death.