Germany are out of the World Cup after Paraguay held their nerve to win a gripping penalty shoot-out after surviving a controversial VAR in extra-time.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side thought they had taken the lead in extra-time after Jonathan Tah’s header, but VAR intervened and the Germany defender also missed a vital penalty in the shoot-out before Jose Canale buried the decisive kick.
Paraguay had taken a shock lead through Julio Enciso’s crisp header, but Nagelsmann’s side worked their way back into the contest thanks to Florian Wirtz’s curling cross and the thinnest of touches from Kai Havertz to beat Orlando Gill.
And a thrilling shoot-out saw Paraguay twice miss spot kicks to win the tie with Manuel Neuer’s heroic effort following Kai Havertz and Nick Woltermade’s misses, but after Tah’s third miss for Germany, Canale held his nerve to ensure a second South American side advanced on Tuesday to the last 16 after Brazil’s comeback victory over Japan.
Follow all the latest reaction and updates from the penalty shoot-out between Germany and Paraguay in the World Cup round of 32 below:
Germany vs Paraguay live updates
- Germany lost 4-3 on penalties to Paraguay in the World Cup round of 32
- NO GOAL! VAR rules out Jonathan Tah goal after controversial foul on goalkeeper in extra-time (102')
- GOAL! Kai Havertz's delicate header gets Germany level in last-32 (54')
- GOAL! Julio Enciso heads Paraguay into shock lead in Boston (42')
- SAVED! Havertz misses opening spot kick after Gill save [GER 0-0 PAR]
- MISSED! Tah blazes over to gift Paraguay chance to win [GER 3-3 PAR]
- SCORED! Canale buries spot kick to dump Germany out [GER 3-4 PAR]
- Julian Nagelsmann rules out Germany resignation after World Cup exit
The secrets behind the save: How goalkeepers decide World Cup penalty shoot-outs
07:00 , Miguel Delaney
In the midst of one of the most famous World Cup shoot-out interventions of all, with so much focus on him, Tim Krul was only looking to one place. That was into the eyes of the Costa Rica players.
“You can see which ones are more nervous,” Krul smiles. “They’re not able to put the ball where they want.”
So it proved with Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umana, as Krul saved from both to send the Netherlands through to the semi-finals in 2014.
The secrets behind the save: How goalkeepers decide World Cup penalty shoot-outs
What are the penalty shoot-out rules at the World Cup 2026?
06:00 , Chris Wilson
The knockout rounds of the World Cup 2026 are underway as teams face off in the round of 32, and Germany vs Paraguay has become the first game to go to extra-time and penalties, as the two sides drew 1-1 after 120 minutes in Boston.
Penalty shoot-outs were first introduced at the 1978 World Cup and they have since become a defining feature of knockout football, with the 2022 final settled with spot-kicks and shoot-outs also required in 1994 and 2006.
Nowadays, the format is regarded as one of the most exciting – and yet potentially cruel - ways to decide a match, and teams can rarely win a World Cup without navigating the pressures of extra-time or penalties (and often both).
What are the penalty shoot-out rules at the World Cup 2026?
Carlo Ancelotti’s old habit inspires dramatic Brazil comeback to break Japan hearts
05:00 , Chris Wilson
So this was what Brazil hired Carlo Ancelotti to bring. The Italian won the Champions League three times with Real Madrid. Each brought a crucial injury-time goal in either the semi-final or the final; at times more than one.
And so, as Bruno Guimaraes pierced the Japan defence and Gabriel Martinelli angled a 95th-minute shot into the far corner of the net, the manager with the lowest heart rate in football had seen it all before.
Ancelotti can be the king of cool, the man who does not panic. His capacity for calm thinking in pressurised situations nevertheless contributed to a comeback that extends Brazil’s hope of gaining a sixth star on their shirts. Two of his changes had a catalytic effect: first introducing Endrick for Lucas Paqueta at half-time, giving Brazil a greater attacking threat, and then summoning Martinelli to replace Matheus Cunha.
Ancelotti’s old habit inspires dramatic Brazil comeback to break Japan hearts
World Cup 2026 golden boot standings as Lionel Messi surges clear of Mbappe, Haaland and Kane
04:00 , Chris Wilson
The race for the golden boot at the World Cup is hurtling towards an epic contest during the knockout stage after Lionel Messi added another to his tally to move clear of Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in the race.
The stars continue to dominate at this tournament, none more so than Messi after backing up a hat-trick against Algeria with a double against Austria to highlight one of his greatest traits after a penalty miss. Another arrived off the bench against Jordan – inevitably.
Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland have been in excellent scoring touch themselves as two of Europe’s leading marksmen thrive on the biggest stage. Harry Kane is there or thereabouts, too, after heading home against Panama in England’s final group game. Vinicius Jr also stamped his mark with a brace against Scotland while Ousmane Dembele hit a superb hat-trick against Norway to throw his hat in the ring.
World Cup 2026 golden boot standings including Messi, Mbappe, Kane, Haaland
The bracket in full
03:00 , Alan Smith
We’re beginning to reach the business end.
World Cup 2026 knockout fixtures, results and full tournament bracket
World Cup 2026 TV schedule: How to watch every game on BBC and ITV in the UK
02:45 , Chris Wilson
The biggest World Cup ever has arrived, with 104 games set to take place over the next five weeks, as the US, Canada and Mexico host football’s most-prestigious competition.
Fans in the UK will naturally be keen to follow England and Scotland’s progress at the tournament, but every single game in the competition will be available to watch on free-to-air TV for UK viewers – meaning you can watch more than just the Three Lions’ and Tartan Army’s endeavours.
Of course, you do have to factor in the time difference, with the kinder kick-off times including slots at 6pm BST and 8pm BST, while there are games throughout the night for UK viewers.
World Cup 2026 TV schedule: How to watch every game on BBC and ITV in the UK
Welcome to the real World Cup – the tournament begins now
02:30 , Miguel Delaney
Among a lot of the most celebrated World Cup 2026 squads, coaches have already sought to ensure the intensity of training has gone up. There’s a new edge that only knockout football, and especially World Cup knockout football, can bring.
The Dutch squad perhaps put it best ahead of the most fascinating last-32 tie of all, against Morocco.
“It’s game on,” said Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke. “Now, the big games come.”
Welcome to the real World Cup – the tournament begins now
Musiala fortunate to escape with yellow
02:20 , Alan Smith
Darren Cann, BBC’s referee expert, on the Musiala yellow card: “I think it was a very strong challenge, the VAR will look at this, yellow is reckless, if the ref thinks it's a red, then it's endangering the safety of an opponent, it's the back leg that catches him, is it only reckless?
“Or does he endanger the safety of an opponent with excessive force? I think probably the yellow will stand, but if Musiala had caught him with the front leg, it would have been a red card.”
World Cup 2026 power rankings: Argentina and France lead charge heading into knockouts
02:10 , Chris Wilson
The 2026 World Cup is storming towards the knockout stages after this year’s bumper 48-team tournament had its first culling.
After a build-up that centred on controversy, greed and conflict, fans have been captivated by some enthralling performances and disappointed by others, with the likes of France and holders Argentina stamping their marks as rightful favourites, while England, Portugal and Brazil have all made slight missteps.
But the group stage is only the beginning - history will be written on the road to the final, with 32 remaining teams now raring to sink their teeth into the drama of knockouts football.
Here’s how every team in the knockout stages stacks up in The Independent’s World Cup 2026 power rankings, delving deeper into the top 10:
World Cup 2026 power rankings: Argentina and France lead charge heading to knockouts
World Cup results
02:00 , Chris Wilson
Here are the results in full from the opening games in the round of 32:
Sunday, 28 June
South Africa 0-1 Canada
Monday, 29 June
Brazil 2-1 Japan
Germany 1-1 Paraguay (3-4 pens.)
Is it over for Nagelsmann?
01:50 , Chris Wilson
“Look, in a way this has been coming. Germany has been poor,” says German football expert Raphael Honigstein on BBC 5 Live.
“To be honest, if I want to be cynical and sarcastic, all we would have earned is a right to get absolutely destroyed by France.
“Of course, we will never know. I think it will be over for Julian Nagelsmann, I am afraid,” he added.
'We deserved one more game'
01:40 , Chris Wilson
“I think that what we are feeling right now is really hard to explain. I am really proud of my colleagues, of the team. We deserved one more game to be honest,” said Paraguay defender Gustavo Gomez at full-time.
“I think, considering everything that was said, everything we went through, what I want to highlight from my team is how united we are. We are incredibly strong.
“Today was a game where we needed to show our true colours as the Paraguayan team. Germany knew it would be really hard for them. They knew we would fight not to be defeated. We dedicate this to all the people of Paraguay."
Havertz reacts
01:35 , Chris Wilson
“I don't have much to say. This is now my second World Cup and we've missed moving onto the next round twice now in a row,” says Germany forward Kai Havertz
“I want to apologise for that. We are all very disappointed. We had many plans for this year's World Cup. It is not a very good feeling to disappoint again. The team tried a lot.
“One goal was disallowed. We had a very strong opponent; it was difficult to create chances and keep the pace. The Paraguayan team defended very deep and it was difficult to run for a long time. We tried to move over the flanks but unfortunately, it didn't really work out. I don't think we deserved to win this time.
“I don't think we allowed many chances. We were on the ball, in the momentum, especially after the equaliser. We ended up in the shootout. It wasn't easy because I missed that penalty kick and it's a 50/50 chance.
“During the tournament, you really have to give it your all. I don't think we played bad football, but something was always missing and that was the case today as well. As players, we need to look at ourselves and what we can do better. We play for such a big football nation. If you get eliminated early, you don't deserve to stay,” he added.
Julian Nagelsmann rules out Germany resignation after World Cup exit
01:32 , Jack Rathborn
"I am available if the DFB wants that," Nagelsmann tells ZDF.
“If the DFB doesn't want that, they have to tell me. I'm not one who runs away, that's out of the question."
Germany face crisis after shock World Cup exit to Paraguay on penalties
01:30 , Chris Wilson
Germany suffered a brutal World Cup penalty shoot-out defeat to Paraguay to end the four-time world champions’ tournament in Boston.
After suffering from a controversial VAR call in extra-time, to chalk off Jonathan Tah’s goal, which would have seen Julian Nagelsmann’s side go 2-1 in front, the last 32 tie went to penalties, with misses from Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Tah enough to succumb to a 4-3 shoot-out loss.
The result leaves Nagelsmann on the brink, with immense pressure on the manager after speculation over his future entering the tournament.
Germany face crisis after shock World Cup exit to Paraguay on penalties
More from Hitzlsperger
01:20 , Chris Wilson
“For too long in Germany, we try to educate players to pass the ball really well, it worked really well in 2014, we got that World Cup. After that, we kept on passing the ball nicely, but we forgot to fight very hard against the ball, we only have one way, and it doesn’t work anymore,” explained Hitzlsperger as he continued on BBC One.
“I wouldn’t blame Pep [Guardiola] in this case. He has so many admirers in German football, one of them is Julian Nagelsmann, but unless you are as good as Pep, you have to add different elements.
“We haven’t done. We focus on passing, passing, passing, looks nice at times, if that way doesn’t work, you have to have a plan B, we don’t seem to be good enough using a plan B or C. It’s very unfortunate and sad, the next few days will be intense and tough,” added the former Germany international.
'There's something missing'
01:10 , Chris Wilson
Former Germany international Thomas Hitzlsperger has reacted to his nation’s loss on BBC.
“You start analysing what has to change, individually there are good players. But fundamentally there's something missing,” he said.
“The way they approach games. We're not going to be like France going forward, but the mentality of Argentina, I've watched them many times, at least having that spirit, you thought Germany in a tournament could be favourites, I thought no, I've watched them enough.
“Today we saw that, we need that grit and desire to be hard to beat, add some elements,” he added.
Why Tah goal was disallowed
01:00 , Kieran Jackson
Jonathan Tah’s headed goal for Germany against Paraguay in extra-time of their last-32 World Cup tie was controversially ruled out after a VAR review.
With the score 1-1 after 90 minutes, Germany defender Tah rose highest at the back post to brilliantly head home.
However, the goal was ruled out after a VAR (Video Assistant Referee) referral for a foul on Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill by Waldemar Anton. Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed was sent to the screen and announced to the crowd that a foul had been committed.
Why was Germany’s extra-time goal against Paraguay disallowed after a VAR review?
Up next for Paraguay
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:50 , Alan Smith
Paraguay’s last-16 tie will be in Philadelphia on Saturday night at 10pm BST - against France or Sweden.
Canale the hero
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:40 , Alan Smith
Canale may have scored the decisive penalty. But he also made 15 (yes, fifteen) clearances during the match.
Germany out, Nagelsmann faces the exit
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:32 , Alan Smith
The Paraguay squad are jubilant, as you’d expect. Germany players sink to their knees. They will now go 16 years at least without winning a single knockout match at the World Cup. Julian Nagelsmann’s time as head coach is surely up. They were 1/12 with the bookmakers to win this tie but they were awful throughout and deserve to be out.
AND PARAGUAY HAVE WON IT! Germany 3-4 Paraguay - Canale scores
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:29 , Alan Smith
The defender who made countless blocks to thwart Germany drills his effort into the roof of the net. Germany have lost a shootout. I repeat, Germany have lost a shootout. And Paraguay are into the last 16, awaiting the winners of France and Sweden.
Germany 3-3 Paraguay - Tah misses
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:28 , Alan Smith
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Tah skies his effort (it’s still rising) and Paraguay have a third kick to win it.
Germany 3-3 Paraguay - Balbuena denied
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:27 , Alan Smith
And Neuer saves it - diving to his left and getting both hands on a tame enough kick from the veteran defender.
Sudden death it is as the sun sets behind the stands in Boston.
Germany 3-3 Paraguay - Amiri scores
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:26 , Alan Smith
The Mainz substitute stutters too but his finish is more emphatic. But Paraguay still have a kick to win it...
Germany 2-3 Paraguay - Sanabria misses
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:25 , Alan Smith
What an awful penalty. The pressure gets to the sub as his effort flies a yard wide to the left. Score and he would have sent his team through.
Germany 2-3 Paraguay - Woltemade denied
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:24 , Alan Smith
The big Newcastle forward hesitates and shapes his body to make it so obvious that he is aiming right. And that allows Gill to get down and save. Paraguay are one away...
Germany 2-3 Paraguay - Galarza scores
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:23 , Alan Smith
He rolls it in so casually. Neuer, again, goes the wrong way.
Germany 2-2 Paraguay - Musiala scores
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:22 , Alan Smith
Gill goes the right way and gets a finger on it but Musiala has just enough power on his attempt to squeeze it in.
Germany 1-2 Paraguay - Gomez scores
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:22 , Alan Smith
The defender coolly side-foots home after Neuer commits early to a dive in the opposite direction.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay - Kimmich scores
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:21 , Alan Smith
The captain finds the bottom left corner. Gill goes the wrong way.
Germany 0-1 Paraguay - Mauricio scores
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:20 , Alan Smith
The substitute sends a left-footed effort into the corner. Neuer goes the right way but cannot keep it out.
Germany 0-0 Paraguay - Havertz denied
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:19 , Alan Smith
Germany’s Arsenal forward takes the first kick after Gill does all he can to psyche him out by delaying.
And it works because the big man in between the posts goes the right way to save after Havertz’s stuttering run up.
Full-time! Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:13 , Alan Smith
We’re heading to the spot.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:12 , Alan Smith
31’ - From the free kick Amiri finds the side netting.
Balbuena is on for Paraguay, replacing Alonso. The former West Ham player must fancy his chances from the spot.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:10 , Alan Smith
30’ - Into the last minute and Galarza now shoulder checks Havertz. He has just been booked but is intent on committing silly fouls. Germany have one last chance. Can they? There will be two added minutes.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:09 , Alan Smith
29’ - Germany win corner number 16. Anton rises to meet Brown’s inswinger but it is right down Gill’s throat.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:07 , Alan Smith
27’ - Now Galarza trips Musiala and gets himself a yellow. It’s all getting very silly.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:07 , Alan Smith
25’ - Musiala, what are you thinking? He commits a dreadful tackle on Galarza, sliding in with a raised right boot at fierce intensity. He is lucky that he does not catch him with the leading leg but just the trailing foot. If he had connected it would have been a leg breaker.
He is shown a yellow card. It should be a red and this referee, you have to say, is now having a shocker. He dishes out a couple of more bookings to each bench. For who exactly we cannot be too sure.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:04 , Alan Smith
23’ - Musiala has been fouled down the right by Alonso. The free kick is straight into the arms of GIll, who has been really good. To such an extent predicting he will be a shootout hero appears too obvious.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:01 , Alan Smith
20’ - Kimmich swings the corner in and appears to be trying his luck himself. Gill touches it over the bar for another - Brown will take this one on the opposite flank.
Rudiger and Wirtz have come off, Amiri and Thiaw are on.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Tuesday 30 June 2026 00:00 , Alan Smith
19’ - Caballero does really well to halt a Brown charge.
Restarted! Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:56 , Alan Smith
We’re playing again. We probably deserve the drama of a shootout after enduring all of this.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:53 , Alan Smith
19’ - Havertz so close! Wirtz puts in an inswinger from the left and the Arsenal player meets it at full stretch. It’s dropping into the far corner until Gill gets a glove to it.
We’ve added 33% on to the first half of extra time.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:52 , Alan Smith
18’ - Woltemade goes down in the box and Germany want a penalty but we are playing on.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay.
Monday 29 June 2026 23:51 , Alan Smith
17’ - Paraguay win a corner. Mauricio whips it in but it is too firm. Alonso sends another cross back in and that goes out for a goal kick.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:49 , Alan Smith
15’ - We’ll have four added minutes. Nagelsmann was also shown a yellow card, along with Alfaro, the Paraguay head coach.
NO GOAL! Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:49 , Alan Smith
The referee is handing out a yellow card to someone on the Paraguay bench.
But now the goal is ruled out because the officials say Anton prevented the goalkeeper from intervening.
It’s soft, it’s being jeered but Paraguay remain on level terms.
Hold on... there's a VAR check!
Monday 29 June 2026 23:47 , Alan Smith
And the referee is going to his monitor. It appears to be because of a block from Anton on the Paraguay goalkeeper.
GOAL! Germany 2-1 Paraguay (Tah, 12ET)
Monday 29 June 2026 23:46 , Alan Smith
11’ - Another Germany corner. Brown’s inswinger is deep again and at last Tah can direct his header into the far corner having peeled away from Canale. Germany are ahead. They barely deserve it.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:44 , Alan Smith
11’ - Anton hangs in a nice cross for Woltemade but he is crowded out and cannot leap to meet it. Goal kick.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:42 , Alan Smith
9’ - Before the ensuring corner can be taken, Paraguay are making a double change. Bobadilla and Caceres are off. Ojeda and Sanabria are on.
Brown’s corner is cleared.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:41 , Alan Smith
7’ - Woltemade turns in the box and off his left-foot shoots. Gomez lunges to block. Germany want a penalty for handball. It does hit his arm but it’s firmly tucked in and there’s no way this could be given as a spot kick.
Gomez is now down injured, insisting that he is winded.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:39 , Alan Smith
5’ - Woltemade wins a corner. Anton and Gill then step on each others toes - literally - and exchange some angry words. The referee intervenes and when it is eventually taken - deep yet again - Tah nods it back across goal.
The assistant referee says the ball was actually out of play when he does that. Replays are inconclusive but it’s a goal kick.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:37 , Alan Smith
3’ - Woltemade turns and has a shot blocked by Canale. Kimmich strikes the rebound and that too is blocked by Canale.
In his full debut, this has been quite the performance from the Paraguay defender.
Extra-time begins! Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:34 , Alan Smith
We’re back underway.
Velazquez replaces Almiron, who seemed to get through an awful lot of work.
Full-time! Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:29 , Alan Smith
It’s going to extra time. The second half was an improvement on a terrible first. But not by a huge margin.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:28 , Alan Smith
95’ - Musiala fizzes in a cross begging to be finished. No one does. And we’re heading towards the extra 30 minutes.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:26 , Alan Smith
93’ - Almiron, with no support, shoots from 30 yards and it deflects off the head of Anton, going out for a corner.
It has felt like a game of corners. This is the game’s 14th. And the vast majority have been cleared with ease.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:25 , Alan Smith
92’ - Brown sends in a deep corner. Tah meets it but heads it into Gill’s grateful arms.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay.
Monday 29 June 2026 23:24 , Alan Smith
90’ - Kimmich has a shot blocked by Cubas and out for a corner following a counterattack.
There will be five added minutes.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:23 , Alan Smith
90’ - A late winner here seems even less likely than Brazil’s earlier.
Let’s all brace for extra-time.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:21 , Alan Smith
88’ - Here comes the big man. Woltemade, hitherto an unused sub, is on for Sane.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:19 , Alan Smith
86’ - Germany win a corner. Wirtz puts it in and there is some pinball but the offside flag goes up anyway because Anton is well off.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:17 , Alan Smith
83’ - This is hardly a relentless chase for a winner from Germany. They remain a bit passive on the ball, lacking the urgency expected at this stage of a knockout tie in which they were heavy favourites pre-match.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:13 , Alan Smith
79’ - Bobadilla concedes a foul 25 yards out. Wirtz fancies it. Except he cannot beat the wall.
Anton has replaced Pavlovic.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:12 , Alan Smith
78’ - Straight up the other end Havertz has a brilliant chance to put Germany in front with a header that is too close to Gill.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:11 , Alan Smith
77’ - Paraguay look spent but then Mauricio sends Caballero away and he looks to be clean through with only Neuer to beat... before being flagged for offside.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:08 , Alan Smith
73’ - Back underway, Sane teases in a nice cross that briefly leads to some panic before Gill collects.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:03 , Alan Smith
70’ - We will now have the hydration break.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:03 , Alan Smith
69’ - Paraguay now win a corner. Mauricio hits this one deep towards Gomez and Neuer collects. He sets a counterattack away but the referee stops them because he says Neuer was fouled and gives a free kick instead. Nagelsmann is furious. Justifiably.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 23:01 , Alan Smith
67’ - A couple of Germany corners pass by without an event of note.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:59 , Alan Smith
66’ - Cubas is booked for hauling down Havertz. Off the ball Galarza and Wirtz appear to tangle too. But from the initial incident Germany have a promising free kick 25 yards out and central. There are seven Paraguay players in the wall, three Germans alongside them.
Sane takes it and it comes off the wall.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:57 , Alan Smith
63’ - Undav, who was anonymous as a starter, is hooked and Musiala is on to a reasonably loud ovation.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:55 , Alan Smith
62’ - Eventually it is taken. Kimmich’s delivery is poor, smothered by Gill.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:54 , Alan Smith
60’ - Havertz wins a smart foul, bringing a stretched leg from Galarza about three yards from the right edge of Paraguay’s box as Germany attack it.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:51 , Alan Smith
58’ - Mauricio replaces Enciso.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:50 , Alan Smith
57’ - Gortezka now has a shot blocked. Have Germany awoken from their slumber at last?
Germany 1-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:50 , Alan Smith
56’ - Caballero is on for Paraguay, Avalos is off.
GOAL! Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Havertz, 54)
Monday 29 June 2026 22:47 , Alan Smith
The Arsenal man levels it, getting in front of Canale to head in a deep cross from Wirtz on the left.
Germany 0-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:45 , Alan Smith
52’ - Pavlovic hooks a simple pass out of play. There are some jeers from the crowd.
Germany 0-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:44 , Alan Smith
50’ - Kimmich dawdles on the ball and allows Enciso to nick the ball from him following a tame pass back to Neuer. Enciso gallops inwards and tries his luck from a tight angle. Neuer saves.
Germany 0-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:42 , Alan Smith
49’ - Havertz has joined Undav as a striker it seems, rather than operating behind as a No.10.
Restarted! Germany 0-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:38 , Alan Smith
46’ - We’re back underway.
Monday 29 June 2026 22:38 , Alan Smith
Another delay as players from both teams are told to pull up their socks by the referee.
Monday 29 June 2026 22:36 , Alan Smith
Germany are back on the pitch early and Gortezka is coming on, for Nmecha.
Paraguay are taking their time coming back out.
Half-time! Germany 0-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:21 , Alan Smith
50’ - Brown’s delivery is not up to much either.
That’s half-time and Nagelsmann is running as fast he can across the pitch and towards the tunnel. Presumably he is about to light his players up after this horror show.
Germany 0-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:19 , Alan Smith
49’ - Bobadilla gives away another corner. Kimmich will leave this one for Brown.
Germany 0-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:18 , Alan Smith
47’ - Better-ish. Nmecha has a shot that is deflected out by Canale. Kimmich’s corner, again, is unable to cause much bother.
Germany 0-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:17 , Alan Smith
46’ - Kimmich sends in a corner. Galarza heads it away.
Germany 0-1 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:15 , Alan Smith
45’ - Germany restart with another passive spell that eventually ends with Kimmich blasting over.
Nagelsmann, already under pressure, must work some magic at the break.
But first we will have five added minutes.
GOAL! Germany 0-1 Paraguay (Enciso 42)
Monday 29 June 2026 22:13 , Alan Smith
They can - but not directly from the corner.
Almiron’s delivery is punched away by Neuer but Bobadilla wins possession, works it out to the right.
Galarza puts the cross in and Enciso, completely unmarked, powers home.
The celebrations are wild and that’s a reward for their perseverance off the ball.
Germany 0-0 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:11 , Alan Smith
41’ - Almiron wins a corner via Brown and... they couldn’t, could they? Almiron will take it.
Germany 0-0 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:10 , Alan Smith
41’ - The corner is taken short and it amounts to nothing. A wasted opportunity. “That sums them up,” says an increasingly exasperated Shearer.
Germany 0-0 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:09 , Alan Smith
40’ - Caceres heads a diagonal pass from Sane towards Wirtz out for a corner.
Germany 0-0 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:09 , Alan Smith
39’ - On BBC Alan Shearer has said calling the game “rubbish” would be “polite.”
Germany 0-0 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:07 , Alan Smith
36’ - A move that sums up Germany’s lack of quality in attack so far: Brown wins the ball off Almiron and drives forward with purpose. He passes to Havertz on the left but with bodies up his pass inside to Undav is fairly dismal and Paraguay clear.
Germany 0-0 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:04 , Alan Smith
34’ - The pass count so far reads Germany 239, Paraguay 31.
Germany 0-0 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 22:02 , Alan Smith
31’ - How long can Paraguay maintain this intensity? They are closing down everything, ensuring no gaps exist. Germany, on the other hand, are barely breaking into the jog as they continue to pass it around patiently.
Which is a long way of saying this, really, has been very dull.
Germany 0-0 Paraguay
Monday 29 June 2026 21:59 , Alan Smith
28’ - Almiron goes down looking for a foul off Brown. The referee tells him to get up.
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