In a stunning upset, Germany was eliminated from the FIFA World Cup after losing to Paraguay on penalties following a dramatic 1–1 draw in extra time. The match, played in New Jersey, marked one of the most shocking results in German football history. Despite being heavy favorites, Germany's inability to convert crucial chances and a controversial VAR decision during extra time ultimately sealed their fate. This loss ended Germany’s World Cup campaign and sparked widespread criticism both domestically and internationally.
The game began with Germany dominating possession and control, but Paraguay struck first in the 43rd minute when Julio Enciso headed in a cross from Miguel Almirón. The goal stunned the German team and fans alike, with the German newspaper Bild commenting, "We are behind. That can't be right." The lead was short-lived, as Kai Havertz equalized just before halftime with a header from a corner, assisted by Florian Wirtz. This goal brought relief to the German squad, with former England striker Alan Shearer noting on BBC that it was "an enormous relief for Havertz and his teammates."
Despite Germany's efforts to dominate the second half, the score remained tied at 1–1. Both teams pushed hard for a winner, but neither could break the deadlock. As the match entered extra time, tensions rose further when Jonathan Tah scored what seemed to be the winning goal in the 102nd minute. However, the goal was quickly overturned after a VAR review. The referee, Jalal Jayed of Morocco, ruled that Waldemar Anton had been too aggressive towards Paraguay’s goalkeeper Orlando Gill prior to the goal. This decision left the German bench frustrated and sparked immediate controversy among pundits and players.
Former England forward Alan Shearer criticized the decision on BBC, stating, “Orlando Gill falls too easily. It's a contact sport, and there are about five or six people in the box—I’m not in agreement with this at all.” Similarly, former Scotland player Pat Nevin called the decision “chaotic” and noted that it was “subjective and unclear.”
Germany continued to press in extra time, but they were unable to find the net. The match eventually went to a penalty shootout, where Germany faltered badly. Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade missed their respective shots, while Paraguay’s keeper Manuel Neuer saved two attempts from Antonio Sanabria and Fabián Balbuena. The decisive moment came when Jonathan Tah missed his spot-kick, allowing Paraguay’s José Canale to score the winning penalty. With that, Germany’s World Cup journey came to an abrupt end.
Germany has historically been strong in penalty shootouts, having won all four previous World Cup matches decided by penalties since 1982. Including European Championships, they have only lost once in seven such encounters. This loss marked the first time Germany had ever lost a World Cup penalty shootout. The defeat has raised serious questions about head coach Julian Nagelsmann’s future, with Norwegian expert Magnus Wolff Eikrem claiming on NRK that Nagelsmann would either resign or be fired after the debacle.
The result has also placed Paraguay into the quarterfinals, where they will face either France or Sweden. The South American team celebrated wildly after securing their place in the next round, with former player Pat Nevin calling it “one of the greatest results in Paraguay’s football history.” Meanwhile, Germany faces the prospect of returning home early, with reports suggesting that some players might take the first flight back to Europe via Lufthansa.
The match highlighted several issues within the German team, including defensive lapses and a lack of clinical finishing. Coach Nagelsmann faced intense scrutiny after the game, particularly due to the controversial VAR decision that nullified Tah’s goal. The incident has reignited debates about the role of technology in football and whether decisions made by referees and VAR officials should be more transparent.
With the tournament still ongoing, the focus now shifts to Paraguay as they prepare for their upcoming quarterfinal clash. Whether they can maintain their momentum against a stronger opponent remains uncertain, but their victory over Germany has certainly put them on the map as a dark horse in this year’s competition. For Germany, however, the exit serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of international football and the fine margins that separate success from failure.
3 reports
AftenpostenIndependent🔒CenterFactual 98Objective 807 days agoIn a dramatic World Cup quarter-final match, Germany was eliminated by Paraguay after failing to score from penalty kicks. Despite having a strong historical record in penalty shootouts—having won all four previous instances in World Cup history—Germany missed their chances, with Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade both failing from 11 meters. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer saved two penalties but could not prevent Paraguay's eventual victory. The result marked one of the biggest upsets in Paraguay's football history. Earlier in the match, Germany had taken the lead through a corner kick by Jonathan Tah, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review determined that German player Waldemar Anton had made contact with Paraguay's goalkeeper Orlando Gill before the shot. This controversial decision sparked debate among pundits, including former England striker Alan Shearer, who criticized the call as subjective and unfair.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses solely on a sports event—the World Cup match between Germany and Paraguay—with no direct political implications or commentary on governance, policy, or politics. It provides a balanced account of the game's events, including reactions from players and analysts, without evident sl
Why these scores (Factual 98 · Objective 80): This article provides precise details about the match, including player actions and statistics. It maintains a relatively neutral tone while quoting players and analysts without overt bias.
VG – Verdens GangIndependentCenterFactual 97Objective 787 days agoIn the FIFA World Cup match between Germany and Paraguay, Germany was defeated in a penalty shootout after a controversial VAR decision overturned a goal scored by Jonathan Tah. The game ended 1-1 after extra time, leading to a dramatic penalty shootout where Paraguay advanced to the quarter-finals. German players expressed disappointment, while some analysts criticized the VAR ruling as subjective and unfair. The result marks a significant upset for Germany, who had previously won all four of their previous World Cup penalties.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a sports event without political framing. It presents the outcome of a football match, player reactions, and expert opinions without advocating for any political ideology. The focus remains on the game itself and does not engage with politically charged narratives.
Why these scores (Factual 97 · Objective 78): The article presents the facts clearly, including the match result and player performances. It includes some emotional quotes but remains mostly objective in its reporting of events.
DagbladetIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 757 days agoGermany was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout loss to Paraguay. The match ended 4-5 in favor of Paraguay following an intense extra time period marked by multiple red cards and frustration. Germany, considered strong favorites, struggled throughout the game, including failing to convert several penalties. Experts believe coach Julian Nagelsmann's position is now under significant pressure due to this historic exit. The controversy extended into the VAR decision during extra time, where Germany's goal was disallowed after a disputed foul, sparking debate among analysts.
Bias read (Center): The article focuses solely on a sports event—the World Cup match between Germany and Paraguay—with no political implications or commentary. There is no framing that suggests bias toward any political side, and the content remains strictly factual and neutral.
Why these scores (Factual 95 · Objective 75): The article accurately reports the match outcome, scoring sequence, and quotes from experts. However, it uses emotionally charged terms like 'gigantisk fiasko' and 'stor skandale,' which may influence reader perception.
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