Germany’s World Cup exit sealed by three missed penalties in Boston

Germany’s World Cup campaign ended in Boston after Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah all missed penalties in a shoot-out against Paraguay. The four-time world champions, managed by Julian Nagelsmann, had already topped their group with six points despite a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador in their final group game. Paraguay took the lead in the 42nd minute when attacking midfielder Julio Enciso headed in from a right-wing cross. Germany equalised in the 54th minute through Kai Havertz, but the match went to extra time after a VAR review disallowed a Jonathan Tah goal for offside interference. The shoot-out began with Havertz sending his penalty straight to goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who made his first save of the series. Mauricio then put Paraguay ahead, before Joshua Kimmich equalised for Germany. Gustavo Gómez restored Paraguay’s lead before Jamal Musiala equalised for Germany. Matías Galarza put Paraguay back in front, but Woltemade missed his penalty to leave Germany needing a stop from Manuel Neuer.

Germany and Paraguay locked in tight battle after VAR overturns Tah’s goal

Neuer duly saved Fabián Balbuena’s attempt, but Tah’s penalty was then fired high over the crossbar. José Canale converted the decisive spot-kick to send Paraguay through to the last 16. Paraguay will face either France or Sweden in the next round after their opponents’ quarter-final tie on Tuesday. Orlando Gill made one save and scored five penalties in the shoot-out, while Neuer made 17 saves and scored 65 in his career shoot-out record.

Nagelsmann’s Germany collapses again: Paraguay end World Cup hopes in Boston

This was Germany’s fifth World Cup penalty shoot-out defeat, while Paraguay advanced to the knockout stages for the second time in their history, having beaten Japan in 2010. The missed penalties by Havertz, Woltemade and Tah marked the end of Germany’s campaign in Boston.