Germany's World Cup myth crumbles as Paraguay shocks the giants

Germany's shock elimination on penalties by Paraguay confirms a growing crisis for the four‑time world champion, ending its flawless shootout record and marking the third successive World Cup marred by disappointment after a group‑stage loss to Ecuador in this tournament. The old adage that Germany always wins has been quoted for decades, but recent tournaments have eroded its credibility. The saying, ‘Football is a sport invented by the English, played 11 against 11, and Germany always wins,’ now sounds increasingly hollow. Germany’s group‑stage defeat to Ecuador sparked early concerns about a deeper malaise. The loss amplified calls that the national side was entering a crisis, with pundits noting the rarity of such an early exit for the former champions.

Penalty drama reshapes World Cup path for Paraguay and Germany

In the knockout round, Germany faced Paraguay and, for the first time in World Cup history, fell in a penalty shootout. The defeat ended a perfect record of four straight qualifications achieved via shootouts in 1982, 1986, 1990 and 2006. Paraguay’s victory sealed a historic embarrassment for Germany, now enduring three consecutive World Cups marked by significant failures. The elimination underscores the magnitude of the setback for a nation long regarded as a football powerhouse.

VAR controversy clouds Germany's extra‑time surge against Paraguay

Paraguay also wrote its own chapter, becoming the first side to deny Germany in a World Cup shootout, illustrating that the German dominance is no longer guaranteed. The result reinforces the notion that today’s football can overturn long‑standing myths. The article was translated into English by artificial intelligence, with the original Spanish version available for readers seeking the full context. Readers can consult the original version to see the full context in Spanish.