Germany’s old penalty comfort zone collapsed in Boston, and Paraguay were the team standing over the wreckage.
Paraguay beat the four-time world champions 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the World Cup last 32 on Monday night, sending Germany out before the quarter-finals and giving Paraguay a last-16 meeting with France or Sweden.
Julio Enciso put Paraguay ahead in the 42nd minute, punishing a German side that had plenty of the ball but little bite before half-time. Kai Havertz levelled in the 54th minute, glancing Germany back into the match and, for a while, back toward familiar tournament control.
But the result changes the picture. Germany had won all four of their previous World Cup shootouts. This time, Orlando Gill saved from Havertz and Nick Woltemade, Jonathan Tah fired over, and Jose Canale smashed the decisive kick into the top corner.
Germany also left angry over a VAR call in extra time, when Tah’s header was ruled out after Waldemar Anton was judged to have fouled Gill at a corner.
The pressure is now on Julian Nagelsmann, but the Germany coach said he does not plan to walk away. “I am not someone who runs away,” he said, adding that he would continue if the German football association wanted him to.
Havertz was blunter. “All I can do is apologise,” he said after missing in the shootout.
Paraguay defender Gustavo Gomez said the win came from the group’s fight. “We have incredible strength to face any situation,” he said.
