Houston/Boston: One of the biggest upsets in the 96-year history of the FIFA World Cup unfolded on Tuesday as four-time champions Germany were stunned by minnows Paraguay in the Round of 32.
The match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes of regulation time and 30 minutes of extra time. Paraguay then held their nerve to win the penalty shootout 4-3 against FIFA’s 12th-ranked Germany despite being ranked 38th in the world.
Germany had also suffered group-stage exits in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, making this yet another disappointing campaign for the football powerhouse.
Paraguay Exact Revenge After 24 Years
Paraguay avenged their Round of 16 defeat to Germany at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, ending a 24-year wait for revenge.
Germany, who lifted the World Cup in 2014, had never before lost a World Cup knockout match in a penalty shootout. Paraguay ended that remarkable record by winning 4-3 on penalties, becoming the first nation to eliminate Germany from a World Cup knockout match via a shootout.
Germany have now failed to win a single knockout match since lifting the World Cup title in 2014.
German Legend Slams National Team
Germany football legend Lothar Matthäus launched a scathing attack on the current national team following the shocking defeat.
“The Germany team I fought for on the football field is completely different from the one we see today. Such a defeat at the World Cup is simply unacceptable. Every player and every coach must reflect on why the performance was so poor. It was nowhere near the standard expected of Germany,” Matthäus said.
Havertz Turns From Hero to Villain
Paraguay took the lead through Enciso in the 42nd minute before Kai Havertz equalised in the 54th minute to make it 1-1.
Neither side could find another goal in regulation or extra time. However, Havertz failed to convert his penalty in the shootout, leaving Germany and their millions of fans heartbroken.
Statistics Favoured Germany, Victory Went to Paraguay
Despite dominating almost every statistical category, Germany ended up on the losing side.
Germany enjoyed 75 per cent possession compared to Paraguay’s 25 per cent. They also earned 16 corners against Paraguay’s six and registered 21 shots on target compared to just four by Paraguay.
Despite those overwhelming numbers, Germany lost the penalty shootout 3-4 and crashed out of the tournament.
Brazil Beat Japan Despite Neymar’s Absence
Brazil defeated Japan 2-1 in another thrilling Round of 32 clash despite missing injured superstar Neymar.
Japan took the lead in the 29th minute through Kaishu Sano. Casemiro equalised with a superb header in the 56th minute before Gabriel Martinelli scored a dramatic winner in the sixth minute of injury time, just moments before the match looked set for extra time.
It was Brazil’s 12th victory over Japan in 15 international meetings. Despite the defeat, Japan won plenty of admiration for their spirited performance.
Morocco Knock Out Netherlands After Penalty Shootout
In another dramatic Round of 32 encounter, Morocco defeated the Netherlands 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the match ended 1-1 following regulation and extra time.
Cody Gakpo gave the Netherlands the lead in the 72nd minute before Diop equalised for Morocco in the 91st minute, forcing the match into penalties.
Third Straight Penalty Shootout Heartbreak for the Netherlands
Morocco have now eliminated a European team in successive FIFA World Cups.
The Netherlands, meanwhile, have suffered penalty shootout defeats in three consecutive World Cups. They had previously lost to Argentina on penalties in both the 2018 and 2022 editions.
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