Havertz, Woltemade and Tah became the scapegoats

Germany is out of the World Cup after a penalty shootout loss to Paraguay in Foxborough. Jonathan Tah hammered the decisive penalty kick over the goal – and sent the South Americans through to the last eight.

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It was a dramatic penalty shootout that followed a one-sided game in which Paraguay hardly ventured forward. Instead, they chose to absorb Germany’s pressure, while Die Mannschaft lacked both the skill and the cleverness to break down a highly organised defence.

Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade both missed from 12 yards and gave Paraguay the chance to decide. Antonio Sanabria stumbled with his attempt, and Fabián Balbuena also wasted a crucial penalty – Manuel Neuer saved low on the left.

But Jonathan Tah hammered the ball over the crossbar, and Germany was not saved a third time. José Canale fired in and sparked wild celebrations at Paraguay.

Enciso sent Paraguay into the lead – Havertz equalized

Julio Enciso had earlier given Paraguay the lead late in the first half of regulation time, but Havertz equalised shortly after half-time.

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Germany thought they had won in extra time when Tah headed in a corner kick from Nathaniel Brown. But Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed and VAR ruled that Paraguay’s goalkeeper Orlando Gill was blocked by Waldemar Anton when the cross came in. It seemed extraordinarily strict, considering how much physical contact was allowed during the largely forgotten 120 minutes.

First half: Paraguay started and finished strong

The first half started and ended with a Paraguay chance. Junior Alonso failed to put in Enciso’s corner from the left in the first minute – after standing completely unmarked at the back post.

Germany survived and began to dominate the game with Joshua Kimmich pulling the strings. But a chronic lack of creativity meant that their efforts rarely led to anything. They wasted the ball time and time again, or threw crosses that were picked up by Paraguay’s tough centre-backs.

Florian Wirtz, Havertz and Leroy Sané were mostly anonymous, while Paraguay looked relatively comfortable. And after taking the sting out of Germany, the South Americans struck before half-time.

From a recycled corner, the ball was played to Matías Galarza on the right, and his perfect cross was put into the goal by Enciso with his head.

Germany lifted in the second half

Julian Nagelsmann brought on Leon Goretzka for Felix Nmecha at half-time – an equal change, but Germany needed more creativity.

The desired effect came, but not before Paraguay almost doubled their lead after 50 minutes. Kimmich gave the ball straight to Enciso, who was alone towards goal – but Neuer stormed out and saved.

It turned out to be a decisive moment. Four minutes later, Germany equalised – not from a brilliant attack, but from another cross into the box. Havertz got in front of his marker, caught a glance at Wirtz’s cross and sent the ball into the right corner.

For the first time in the game, Paraguay were at full speed, and only a brilliant block prevented Goretzka from giving Germany the lead shortly afterwards.

Substitute Jamal Musiala, who came on in the 63rd minute for Deniz Undav, gave Germany even more control. The Bayern Munich star also made it possible for Havertz to push forward.

The Arsenal player came close to adding a second header with 13 minutes left, but put the ball straight at Gill from six yards.

The goal was annulled – and frustration rose

The extra time was mostly uneventful. Germany had the ball, but did very little with it. Two minutes before half-time, Tah’s goal was nullified after minimal contact from Anton on Gill.

Havertz barely managed to steer another cross into the net, while frustration mounted. Paraguay threw themselves forward from time to time, but withdrew at the first opportunity.

The approach of Gustavo Alfaro’s players – which included both acting and wasting time – began to irritate Germany. Musiala was lucky to only get a yellow card for a wild attack on Galarza.

Anton then headed a corner kick straight at Gill from two yards – Germany’s last chance in regulation time.

The penalty kings Germany were eliminated

The penalty shootout offered more drama than the match itself. Paraguay got off to a brilliant start when Gill saved Havertz’s attempt, and Mauricio scored – 1-0 to Paraguay.

Kimmich, Gómez, Musiala and Galarza all scored, and Paraguay’s lead held. When Woltemade’s tame shot was saved, Germany seemed to be finished.

But Sanabria shot wide of the left post, and Nadiem Amiri kept her cool to make it 3-3.

Balbuena had Paraguay’s second chance to decide – but Neuer saved.

Tah’s frustrating night took another unfortunate turn when he hammered his attempt over the crossbar. Canale showed him how to do it – and sent Paraguay on to a meeting with either France or Sweden.