Football gods punish Germans! Paraguay make history as Havertz goes from hero to zero

"Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win", said legendary Gary Lineker long ago, but what he didn't say is what happens if the game lasts 120 minutes and ends in penalties. Now we know - the Germans lose after all!

Julian Nagelsmann's men suffered a disastrous World Cup knockout in the Round of 32 after a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in Boston!

Following a surprising 1-1 draw after 120 minutes of drama, the knockout-stage battle descended into a climactic end from the spot, as one of the favourites to win the tournament and the four-time champions missed three penalties (Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Johnathan Tah), thus already saying goodbye to the World Cup.

On the other hand, this is a historic achievement for the Paraguayans, who previously reached the quarter-final stage in 2010, where they lost to eventual champions Spain.

Straight from the kick-off at Foxboro Stadium, it was obvious this would not be a one-sided match. Despite holding more than 80 per cent possession, Die Mannschaft struggled against the compact South American side.

Instead of making an early statement in their first knockout stage game at the World Cup since the 2014 finals, the Germans were forced to play the Paraguayan notes, as the minnows struck first through Junior Alonso. He had a lovely chance on the far post following a corner, but his below-par finishing from a very close range left us with a stalemate. This opening phase echoed the dreadfully dull clash between South Africa and Canada, giving neutrals little to watch - at least, until the first hydration break. After the break, the game took a surprising turn.

Shortly after play resumed, Manuel Neuer cleared a cross, but Paraguay made a fine link-up on the right, with Miguel Almiron and Matias Galarza setting up Julio Enciso for a clinical finish, making it 1-0!

With that goal, Neuer and Germany have now conceded in their tenth World Cup game in a row, a horrible streak which also started after that 2014 triumph.

This shocking kick in the gut immediately after conceding woke up the four-time world champions, as Nagelsmann was urged to react promptly.

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Just like his much older colleague, Carlo Ancelotti, a few hours before, the German boss made sure his players got the message: go and get that comeback! Energised by their coach's orders, the team pressed forward.

Less than ten minutes into the second half, Germany nearly completed their comeback.

Florian Wirtz finally made his presence count with a nice cross for Kai Havertz, who delivered a spectacular header into the bottom corner to level the score at 1-1.

Many other teams would crumble in those moments, faced with the mighty German machine. Not Paraguay. They calmed the storm, sat back comfortably, and took the game to extra time with little effort. Havertz had the chance to complete a brace and turn things around completely, but his second header didn't find the net.

Almiron was subbed off, Nick Woltemade came on and Germany set a record by reaching their 12th extra time, more than any other team in tournament history.

Their vast experience transformed into much more than just an interesting stat in the 100th minute, as Bayern Munich's Johnathan Tah headed it home with a superb header to take a potentially crucial lead. Alas, it didn't last too long, as it was voided following a VAR review for a previous foul on the Paraguayan keeper.

The match was heading to penalties, which probably shouldn't have worried the Europeans too much, as they won all four previous World Cup shootouts. Still, the 119th minute gave us an almost heartbreaking moment for the Paraguayans as Anton's header from the edge of the six-yard box ended in the keeper's hands. In the dying seconds of extra time, Amiri tried his luck from a mid-range free-kick, but the destiny of this battle had to be decided from the spot.

Havertz, Woltemade and Tah didn't score from the spot, and Paraguay made history despite two Neuer's saves! The South Americans will face the winner of France vs Sweden in Philadelphia in a few days.

WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Round of 32

Sunday

South Africa - Canada 1-0 (0-0)

/Eustaquio 90+2/

Monday

Brazil - Japan 2-1 (0-1)

/Casemiro 56, Martinelli 90+5 - Sano 29/

Germany - Paraguay 3-4 on penalties (1-1)

/Havertz 54 - Enciso 42/

Tuesday

04.00: (2.20) Netherlands (3.15) Morocco (3.75)

20.00: (3.50) Ivory Coast (3.55) Norway (2.10)

00.00: (1.30) France (5.80) Sweden (9.00)

Wednesday

04.00: (2.25) Mexico (2.95) Ecuador (3.85)

19.00: (1.30) England (5.20) Dr Congo (11.0)

23.00: (2.15) Belgium (3.25) Senegal (3.75)

Thursday

03.00: (1.43) USA (4.60) B&H (8.50)

22.00: (1.32) Spain (5.25) Austria (10.0)

Friday

02.00: (1.95) Portugal (3.40) Croatia (4.10)

06.00: (1.95) Switzerland (3.45) Algeria (4.00)

21.00: (3.15) Australia (2.95) Egypt (2.55)

Saturday

01.00: (1.17) Argentina (7.50) Cape Verde (16.0)

04.30: (1.70) Colombia (3.60) Ghana (5.50)

***odds are subject to change***