Ensayo sobre Alemania después de la exclusión: Vergüenza, humillación y cuestionamiento de Nagelsmann

Germany's national football team suffered a crushing defeat in their World Cup quarter-final match against Paraguay on June 29, 2026, losing 1-1 after extra time and then falling 3-4 in the penalty shootout. This marked a third consecutive failure for Germany to advance beyond the group stage in major tournaments, sparking widespread criticism both within the country and internationally. The loss was described as a "new nightmare" for German football, with many media outlets expressing deep disappointment and frustration over the outcome.

The defeat came despite Germany's dominance in possession and control during much of the match. However, they struggled to break down Paraguay’s resilient defense and were unable to capitalize on several scoring opportunities. In the first half, Germany had the better chances, but it was Paraguay who struck first when Egidio Arévalo Ríos scored in the 42nd minute. Germany responded quickly, with Kai Havertz equalizing just five minutes later with a stunning header following a corner kick. Despite this, the game remained tightly contested throughout, with neither side managing to take control of the match.

In the second half, Germany continued to dominate possession but failed to create clear-cut chances. Their inability to score a decisive goal forced the match into extra time, where both teams remained evenly matched. The tension reached its peak in the penalty shootout, where Germany missed three crucial penalties, while Paraguay converted all four of theirs. Goalkeeper Orlando Neto played a pivotal role for Paraguay, saving two of Germany's penalties and ensuring his team's historic victory.

German media reacted strongly to the loss, with *Bild* describing the defeat as "a new nightmare for German football," criticizing the performance as "disgraceful." The newspaper gave coach Julian Nagelsmann a rating of 6, the lowest possible score under the German media grading system. Similarly, *Süddeutsche Zeitung* referred to the result as "the final humiliation," highlighting how Germany had failed to make a convincing impact in the tournament since their heavy defeat against Curacao earlier in the competition.

This loss marks yet another significant setback for Germany, which has now failed to reach the knockout stages of three consecutive major tournaments. Previously, the team had been eliminated in the group stage in 2018 and 2022, and in 2024 they were knocked out in the round of 16. Germany's last appearance in a semi-final of a major tournament was back in the 2016 European Championship, where they lost to France in the semi-finals.

Critics argue that the failure to progress past the group stage reflects a broader decline in German football's global standing. While Germany remains one of the most successful nations in international football history, having won the World Cup four times (in 1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014), recent performances have raised concerns about the team's ability to compete at the highest level. The *Kicker* magazine described the loss to Paraguay as a "confession of failure for German football and for Nagelsmann," emphasizing that the coach had not managed to harness the strengths of his squad effectively.

Julian Nagelsmann, who took charge of the national team in the fall of 2023, faces increasing pressure following this latest defeat. His contract runs until 2028, but questions are being raised about whether he can lead Germany back to success. The *Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung* questioned whether Nagelsmann's tenure as head coach might end prematurely, given the current state of affairs.

Meanwhile, the defeat also sparked discussions about the future direction of German football. With the team failing to perform consistently in major tournaments, there are calls for a complete overhaul of the national strategy, including changes in coaching, player selection, and youth development programs. As the dust settles from this unexpected exit, the focus will shift toward identifying the root causes of the team's struggles and implementing long-term solutions to restore Germany's position as a dominant force in world football.