Germany and the Netherlands were both knocked out of the World Cup in a dramatic night of upsets, as Paraguay and Morocco advanced to the last 16 after two tense penalty shootouts.
Germany, hoping to recover from its group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022, did make it past the first round this time, but its campaign ended in familiar disappointment. Julian Nagelsmann’s side was beaten 4-3 on penalties by Paraguay after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes, marking Germany’s first-ever World Cup penalty-shootout defeat after four previous wins.
Paraguay frustrated Germany from the start. The four-time world champions looked tense and struggled to create meaningful chances in the first half, especially during the opening 30 minutes. Paraguay punished them in the 42nd minute, when Julio Enciso headed in the opening goal.
Germany improved after the break and equalized in the 54th minute through Kai Havertz, but the Arsenal forward also missed a major chance that could have settled the match before extra time.
In the 103rd minute, Germany thought it had completed the turnaround when Jonathan Tah headed into the net, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review found that Waldemar Anton had fouled Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Paraguay
(Photo: Oz Moalem)
Gill then became the hero of the shootout, saving two German penalties, while Tah fired his attempt over the bar. Jose Canale converted the decisive penalty to send Paraguay into the next round.
German media reacted with fury. “Another nightmare for German football,” Bild wrote, describing the performance as “slow, boring and indifferent.” Nagelsmann also came under heavy pressure, with Kicker reporter Sebastian Wolff writing that it would not be unrealistic to say this may have been his final match as national team coach.
Nagelsmann said afterward that he had no intention of resigning. “I am ready to continue if they want me. I am not someone who runs away,” he said. “If they want me to leave, they should tell me.”
In Paraguay, the win sparked national celebration. President Santiago Pena declared a national holiday, saying the achievement was “beyond sport.” Gill, named man of the match, said: “We showed we can do great things. It was like a horror movie. The Germans appeared from everywhere.”
Morocco
(Photo: AP / Ricardo Mazalan)
Hours later, Morocco delivered another shock, beating the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after another 1-1 draw in 120 minutes.
The Dutch, unbeaten in the group stage and riding an 11-match unbeaten run in competitive games, went ahead in the 72nd minute through Cody Gakpo. The forward scored and then broke down in tears following the death of his son during childbirth last week.
Morocco, which had been the better side for long stretches, refused to collapse. Issa Diop equalized in stoppage time, forcing extra time and then penalties, where the Atlas Lions held their nerve to eliminate Ronald Koeman’s side.
Netherlands
(Photo: REUTERS/Daniel Becerril)
The result continued Morocco’s impressive run after its comeback win over Haiti in the group stage and added another European scalp after beating Scotland earlier in the tournament.
For Germany and the Netherlands, it was a night of missed chances, pressure and penalty heartbreak. For Paraguay and Morocco, it was history, belief and a place in the World Cup’s last 16.