Germany’s penalty curse strikes again in Boston heartbreak

Germany’s latest World Cup campaign ended in penalty-shootout heartbreak in Boston on Tuesday, as Paraguay prevailed 4-3 after Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah all missed from the spot. The four-time world champions, managed by Julian Nagelsmann, have now failed to reach the knockout stages at three consecutive tournaments. Paraguay took the lead in the 42nd minute when Julio Enciso headed in from a right-wing cross, before Kai Havertz equalised for Germany in the 54th minute. The match remained deadlocked at 1-1 after extra time, with Jonathan Tah’s headed goal disallowed for offside following VAR review. The penalty drama began with Havertz blazing his effort high over the bar, before Mauricio put Paraguay ahead. Joshua Kimmich equalised, but Gustavo Gómez restored Paraguay’s lead. Jamal Musiala levelled again, before Matías Galarza put Paraguay back in front. Nick Woltemade then missed his spot-kick, leaving Manuel Neuer with the chance to keep Germany alive. Neuer duly saved Fabián Balbuena’s attempt, but Jonathan Tah’s miss sealed Germany’s fate. José Canale converted the decisive penalty to send Paraguay through to face France or Sweden in the last 16. Manuel Neuer made 17 saves in his 65 World Cup appearances, but his 18th penalty faced in a shoot-out ended in failure. Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill, making his fifth international start, stopped Havertz and Woltemade while scoring himself.

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

Germany’s World Cup history now includes five penalty-shootout defeats, while Paraguay claimed their second shoot-out victory at the tournament, having beaten Japan in 2010. The South Americans will play their first knockout match since 2010 when they face the winner of Wednesday’s France-Sweden clash. Julian Nagelsmann’s side had topped their group with six points despite a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador, following earlier wins over Curaçao and Ivory Coast. Their exit marks the first time Germany have lost a World Cup shoot-out at a major tournament. Paraguay’s Orlando Gill made five saves in the shoot-out, while Neuer’s record of 17 stops in 65 World Cup appearances includes this latest failure. Tah’s miss after VAR ruled out his extra-time header left Germany clinging to hope before the shoot-out unravelled.

Völler backs Nagelsmann after Germany’s early World Cup exit

The match in Boston saw Germany concede a first-half lead for the second time in the tournament, after Havertz had equalised a goal conceded to Enciso. VAR’s intervention in extra time added to the drama, with Waldemar Anton’s corner leading to Tah’s disallowed goal. Germany’s penalty curse extends beyond this defeat. Havertz, Woltemade and Tah all failed from 12 yards, while Neuer could not prevent Paraguay’s shoot-out winners. The 38-year-old Nagelsmann now faces scrutiny over his team’s inability to progress from the group stage. Paraguay will play their next match on Saturday at 23:00 local time in Philadelphia, awaiting the result of France versus Sweden to know their opponent in the round of 16.