Paraguay pulled off one of the tournament’s biggest upsets, eliminating Germany from the World Cup in a penalty shootout marked by VAR controversy and German misses.
The South American side held their nerve to advance after Germany’s Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade, and Jonathan Tah all failed to convert their spot kicks during the decisive shootout. The trio’s collective failure proved fatal for the four-time world champions, who were unable to recover from the string of missed penalties.
The match was further complicated by VAR drama that added tension to an already high-stakes encounter before the shootout ultimately settled the contest in Paraguay’s favor.
The result marks a stunning exit for Germany, who entered the tournament as one of the favorites and now face significant questions about their squad’s ability to perform under pressure in decisive moments. For Paraguay, the victory represents a landmark achievement in their footballing history, securing a place in the next round of the competition at the expense of one of the sport’s most decorated international sides.
Source: ESPN