Paraguay eliminates Germany in penalties for first major World Cup knockout blow

Germany's tough World Cup exits continue with a major upset loss at the hands of the Guaraníes.

The four-time World Cup champions are...out in the Round of 32.

Germany fell to Paraguay 1-1 (4-3 penalties) in each side's first knockout game on Monday, easily the most stunning result of the tournament so far.

Germany came into the tournament as a top-10 ranked nation by FIFA, while Paraguay were in the 40s. What was supposed to be a tough but winnable game for Germany has turned into a complete nightmare.

It was all Germany for the entirety of the first half. Paraguay understandably sat back in a low block to frustrate its opponents and hit back on the counter.

Though the counter-attacking moments weren't always completed with quality, Paraguay opened the scoring on a cross from the right flank following a corner kick. Matias Galarza's 42nd-minute cross was headed home by Julio Enciso, who has been enjoying a solid tournament.

Germany went down into the break trailing, but the equalizer came from its most probable source.

Striker Kai Havertz of Arsenal somehow flicked in a header from a tight angle in the 54th minute, as Liverpool forward Florian Wirtz put in a solid cross from the left flank.

But Germany still couldn't find the winner from that point and struggled to break down Paraguay's block. A struggling Leroy Sane came off for Jamal Musiala, but the young prodigy failed to make a notable difference yet again following last summer's serious leg injury.

Germany thought it found the winner deep into first-half extra time, but Jonathan Tah's header from a corner was called back due to a foul by Waldemar Anton on goalie Orlando Gill.

Gill, a 6-foot-6 'keeper, put his size to use in the shootout. He saved efforts from Havertz and Nick Woltemade, but veteran German goalie Manuel Neuer responded with some key moments of his own to keep his country breathing.

However, when the moment turned to center-back Tah to give Germany the edge, he blasted his chance over the crossbar. Jose Canale then won it on the following kick.

Germany entered the shootout with a 4-for-4 record at the men's World Cup in such instances. But it was Paraguay that broke the streak.

Paraguay's best run was making the quarterfinals in 2010. It will have to take down the winner of France vs. Sweden in order to replicate that this year.

For Germany, this exit is the latest of brutal stings. After winning the 2014 tournament, Germany was grouped in each of the 2018 and 2022 editions.

Young German head coach Julian Nagelsmann was brought in to take the nation back to the top following his success at club level, but the combination of his tactics and player quality led to the failure.

Germany will need to focus on developing more youth talents for the next cycle as the Bundesliga, the nation's top-flight league, continues to be dominated by Bayern Munich. That won't be helpful if it persists by 2030.