PETRICH ISKRAN after the defeat of the eagle from Italy: "We had more than a game . . . "

The German national football team faced one of its most significant defeats in recent history during their Round of 16 match against Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup in Foxborough. The match ended in a dramatic penalty shootout after both teams were locked at 1-1 following extra time. Germany's head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, addressed the media afterward, reflecting on the game and responding to questions about his future with the national team. Despite acknowledging the team’s control over the match and their efforts throughout the contest, Nagelsmann expressed disappointment over the outcome and confirmed he does not intend to resign from his position as head coach.

According to reports, Germany had managed to establish dominance in the early stages of the match, particularly in the wide areas. However, they struggled to convert their chances into goals, which ultimately cost them the match. In the 102nd minute, Germany took the lead through a goal by Jonathan Tah, but the goal was controversially disallowed due to a foul committed by German player Valdemar Anton before the goal was scored. This decision proved pivotal, as it shifted momentum in favor of Paraguay. After the match, Nagelsmann acknowledged the frustration surrounding the disallowed goal, stating that it was difficult to accept but emphasized that the lack of finishing ability was the main issue.

Despite the loss, Nagelsmann remained composed and did not rule out the possibility of stepping down from his role. He stated that while he currently has no intention of resigning, he would be open to discussions with the leadership of the German Football Association (DFB) if they felt a change was necessary. His contract with the association extends until 2028, and he expressed a desire to prepare for upcoming tournaments such as the European Championship and the Nations League. Nevertheless, he admitted feeling disappointed with the result and conveyed his regret to fans who supported the team both at the stadium and back home.

On the other side of the match, Paraguay's captain, Gustavo Gomes, celebrated the victory, expressing immense pride in his team's performance. He highlighted the unity within the squad and noted how they had overcome numerous challenges throughout the tournament. Gomes praised the resilience of his players and acknowledged the difficulty of defeating a strong German side. The win secured Paraguay's place in the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of the match between France and Sweden in Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, Serbia's Under-21 national team suffered a heavy defeat against Italy in their opening match of the European Championship qualifiers. Coach Gordan Petrić reflected on the loss, emphasizing that both teams gave their maximum effort. He pointed out that Serbia had more possession in the latter part of the first half and had several scoring opportunities that were not capitalized upon. Petrić also mentioned that the upcoming match against Ukraine would be crucial for Serbia, as it would provide an opportunity to bounce back from this setback.

As the World Cup continues, attention shifts toward the next matches, including Paraguay's quarterfinal clash and the ongoing group stage fixtures. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see how the teams respond to these developments, with the focus now turning to the knockout rounds and the potential for upsets in the competition.