World Cup 2026: Germany 1-1 Paraguay (3-4 on penalties) - Four-time winners dumped out in stunning last-32 exit
Match report as Germany knocked out of the World Cup by Paraguay on penalties; Julio Enciso heads in opener; Kai Havertz glances home equaliser; Jonathan Tah header controversially ruled out by VAR; Havertz, Nick Woltemade, Tah miss in shoot-out; Paraguay play France or Sweden in last 16
Tuesday 30 June 2026 02:02, UK
Germany lost a World Cup penalty shoot-out for the first time as they crashed out of the last 32 to underdogs Paraguay.
Kai Havertz cancelled out Julio Enciso's first-half opener, but the Arsenal forward, along with Newcastle's Nick Woltemade, 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 a fourth time in 2014 and were harshly denied by a controversial VAR decision in the second half of extra-time when Tah's powerful header at a corner was ruled out for a soft foul by Waldemar Anton on Gill.
But Julian Nagelsmann's side delivered a dismal first-half showing in which they failed to have a shot on target and went into the break behind despite having 78 per cent possession.
They could only improve yet, having won all four of their World Cup shoot-outs, still couldn't rely on penalties, even when Paraguay squandered two opportunities to win it as Antonio Sanabria sent his effort wide and Manuel Neuer saved from Fabian Balbuena in an epic finale.
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How Germany lost their first World Cup shoot-out...
- 0-0: HAVERTZ DENIED! Gill saves high to his left.
- 0-1: ADVANTAGE PARAGUAY! Mauricio buries it into the bottom right corner.
- 1-1: NO MISTAKE! Kimmich keeps his cool to level.
- 1-2: BACK IN FRONT! Gomez sends Neuer the wrong way.
- 2-2: MUSIALA LEVELS! A firm strike into the corner.
- 2-3: COOL AS YOU LIKE! Galarza rolls his effort into the bottom left corner.
- 2-3: SAVE! Woltemade is denied! Paraguay have the chance to win it...
- 2-3: MISSED! Sanabria sends his spot kick wide of the left post. Germany still have to score...
- 3-3: STILL ALIVE! Amiri keeps Germany in it, but Paraguay have another chance to win it...
- 3-3: NEUER SAVES! A huge stop from the goalkeeper, diving to his left. Into sudden death...
- 3-3: TAH MISSES! Wow, the centre-back blazes over to give Paraguay the chance to win it again...
- 3-4: THEY'VE DONE IT! Canale smashes into the top corner to send Germany out!
Havertz apologises after defeat
Germany striker Kai Havertz said:
"I'm a little lost for words. This is my second World Cup and both times it came to nothing. All I can do is apologise.
"We have to take a hard look at ourselves, especially the players, and I'm leaving the coach out of that."
Gomez: We can face any situation
Paraguay defender Gustavo Gomez said:
"The feeling is hard to explain. I'm very proud of my team-mates, of the group.
"I'm most impressed by our unity. We have incredible strength to face any situation. Germany knew they needed to work incredibly hard to beat us."
