Germany’s World Cup ended in anger, disbelief and another painful knockout failure.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side were beaten by Paraguay in the Round of 32 after a 1-1 draw and a dramatic penalty shootout in Boston. But for the German national coach, the defining moment came before the spot-kicks.
Jonathan Tah thought he had completed Germany’s comeback in extra time, only for the goal to be ruled out after a VAR review.
Nagelsmann furious over VAR call
According to TV 2 Sport’s live update, Nagelsmann spoke to ZDF after the match and strongly criticised the decision.
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“It is ridiculous,” Nagelsmann said.
He also insisted that “no foul was committed” and described the decision to rule out the goal as a scandal.
The incident came in the second half of extra time. Tah headed the ball into the net from a corner, but the referee was sent to the monitor and decided that Waldemar Anton had fouled Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Germany’s players protested, but the decision stood.
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Germany lose from the spot
The match had already been tense long before the VAR controversy.
Paraguay took the lead through Julio Enciso shortly before half-time, while Kai Havertz brought Germany level in the 54th minute. From there, Germany pushed for a winner, but struggled to turn possession into enough clear chances.
Described by Sky Sports as a stunning last-32 exit, Germany were eventually beaten 4-3 on penalties after Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Tah all failed to score from the spot.
For Tah, the night was especially cruel. He had seen a potential winning goal taken away in extra time, before later sending his penalty over the bar.
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Jose Canale then scored the decisive penalty for Paraguay.
First World Cup shootout defeat
Germany have long carried a reputation for being almost unbeatable in penalty shootouts.
That reputation took a heavy blow in Boston.
According to The Guardian’s live coverage, it was Germany’s first defeat in a World Cup penalty competition.
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For Paraguay, the night was historic. They reached the last 16 after one of the biggest results in the country’s football history.
For Germany, it was another early end to a World Cup campaign and another tournament that will lead to difficult questions at home.
A bitter ending for Nagelsmann
Nagelsmann’s anger was easy to understand.
Germany had not produced a perfect performance, and Paraguay made life difficult with discipline and aggression. Still, the disallowed goal will remain the moment that defines the defeat from a German perspective.
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In a knockout match decided by the smallest margins, one VAR review changed the direction of the evening.
Germany are out. Paraguay are through. And Nagelsmann leaves the tournament with one decision he clearly cannot accept.
