Germany’s World Cup campaign came to an abrupt halt Monday evening when Paraguay eliminated the four-time champions in a dramatic penalty shootout. After a grueling 120 minutes that ended 1-1, the Mannschaft fell to defeat in the shootout, marking another chapter in their recent struggles.

Germany’s ongoing struggles exposed

The result underscores the deepening crisis in German football. Since their 2014 triumph, the national team has failed to advance past the group stage or round of 16 in three consecutive World Cups, a stark contrast to their previous nine straight quarterfinal appearances. Julian Nagelsmann’s squad, missing key creativity, struggled to impose their style against a disciplined Paraguayan side.

The match began with Paraguay taking an early lead through Julio Enciso, leaving the Germans scrambling to respond. Despite equalizing in the second half, they couldn’t capitalize on further chances, leaving fans and pundits alike questioning their future in the tournament.

Paraguay’s remarkable run continues

For Paraguay, the victory marks their first knockout-stage appearance since 2010. Having barely scraped through as one of the best third-placed teams, the Albirroja now eyes a potential showdown with France in the next round—a rematch of the iconic 1998 World Cup final. Should Les Bleus progress, the stage is set for another high-stakes clash under the global spotlight.