Germany were knocked out of the 2026 World Cup in the last 32 after a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay, with Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade both missing spot kicks in a historic first shootout loss for Die Mannschaft
Germany was dumped out of the World Cup after a disallowed extra-time goal was met with protests, boos, and cheers in a hugely tense moment at the Boston Stadium. Jonathan Tah thought he had scored his team's probable winner against Paraguay with the score still level in the first half of extra-time, only for the goal to be overturned. It was a moment of sheer joy for the Bayern Munich defender, who had gone to his knees in celebration with his bench running onto the pitch in jubilation. Initially, nothing looked wrong with the goal but when the VAR check flashed up on the big screen, it stunned spectators inside Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Replays soon showed German defender Waldemar Anton giving goalkeeper Orlando Gill a light shove, forcing the keeper to the ground. Admittedly, it looked weak, but upon being asked to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, referee Jalal Jayed agreed with his video assistants and gave a foul to rule out the goal.
Cries rang out around the entire stadium. Boos could be heard from the large German contingent, while Paraguay fans screamed with joy. One Paraguay reporter let out a huge "Vamos!" when the referee explained his decision inside the press box.
"After review, when the ball was in play, attacker No. 3 prevented the goalkeeper from challenging the ball. Final decision: Foul," said the referee.
The same German bench who had run on the pitch were now up in arms. There was commotion on the Paraguayan bench, too. Gustavo Alfaro, Paraguay's manager, received a yellow card for being overly animated.
Regardless of the chaos inside a rocked Boston Stadium, the referee's decision was final and play resumed. The decision ultimately hurt Germany who couldn't find a way through Paraguay and were taken to penalties with the final score 1-1.
Paraguay had taken the lead through Julio Enciso in the 42nd minute. The Strasbourg forward headed home Matias Galarza's cross brilliantly to stun Julian Nagelsmann and co.
Germany did find a leveler through Kai Havertz after he flicked on Florian Wirtz's cross in the second half.
But for much of the rest of the game, Germany huffed, puffed, and failed to produce anything of real value. It meant penalties.
Havertz, who was the hero for Germany earlier, turned villain after watching his opening spot-kick saved. Saved by the same goalkeeper who had gone down in the box and led to the disallowed goal.
But he wasn't the only one to miss. Newcastle's Nick Woltemade had his penalty saved too. It was advantage Paraguay.
With two penalties to win, they couldn't make it count in the most dramatic of circumstances. The first was put wide by Antonio Sanabria before Fabian Balbuena saw his attempt expertly saved by Manuel Neuer.
Up stepped Tah. The man who had been so wronged in extra time. But instead of sealing redemption, he blasted his penalty over the bar.
At the third time of asking, Paraguay did what they couldn't before. Jose Canale scored to send his team berserk and secure footballing history.
Germany's players were crestfallen. Their rivals rushed to the penalty area and went wild. They didn't leave the pitch for a considerable amount of time, celebrating with the fans after achieving the biggest World Cup upset this tournament has seen.