Germany's disaster

German newspapers called the defeat against Paraguay a new disaster, as Julian Nagelsmann's team exited the 2026 World Cup in an inexplicable predicament.

Germany were eliminated in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup after losing to Paraguay on penalties.

Germany ended their 2026 World Cup campaign in a bitter way. They drew 1-1 with Paraguay after 120 minutes, before losing 3-4 on penalties in the round of 32 on the morning of June 30th. The defeat might be remembered for the heartbreaking moment from the penalty spot, but for the German media, the issue wasn't the final penalty shootout.

German newspapers view this defeat as a new nightmare for a footballing nation once accustomed to being a title contender. WELT called it "the next World Cup disaster," while BILD used a stronger phrase: "a new German football nightmare." After the setbacks at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, being eliminated in the first knockout round at the 2026 World Cup only deepens the disappointment.

What disappointed the German press wasn't just the result. Julian Nagelsmann's team had more possession, but lacked speed, ideas, and attacking prowess. Germany held possession, passed the ball, pushed forward, but failed to create the impression that they truly knew how to break down Paraguay's defense.

BILD described Germany's performance as slow, boring, and lethargic. Those are harsh words, but they weren't entirely inaccurate. Against a Paraguay side that defended deep, contested aggressively, and accepted a stalemate, Germany couldn't find a sufficiently sharp solution. They lacked bursts of speed in midfield, incisive passes, and a player capable of changing the tempo of the game at the right moment.

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Julian Nagelsmann faced much criticism as Germany played a stagnant and uninspired game against Paraguay.

Nagelsmann's personnel decisions were also scrutinized. Leaving Jamal Musiala on the bench and giving Deniz Undav a starting spot didn't yield the expected results. Undav was almost invisible in the first half, failing to create a clear connection with Kai Havertz or the surrounding players. When Musiala came on, Germany showed a bit more creativity, but that wasn't enough to completely change the course of the game.

The match also sparked controversy regarding VAR. Jonathan Tah put the ball into the net against Paraguay in extra time, but the goal was disallowed after the referee consulted VAR. Some commentators in Germany argued that this decision was wrong and cost their team the chance to decide the match before the penalty shootout.

However, the German press didn't let VAR become a smokescreen to cover up the problem. A disallowed goal might create a feeling of injustice, but it can't fully explain Germany's lackluster 120 minutes. Against Paraguay, Germany had enough time to win the game. They just weren't good enough to do it.

That's the most painful detail. Germany didn't lose because they were overwhelmed. Germany lost because they were unable to translate their possession into a real advantage. They had the ball, but lacked creativity. They had quality players, but lacked cohesion. They had a coach expected to create a new image, but Nagelsmann's choices failed to lift the team out of its old problems.

Paraguay didn't need to play beautifully to win. They needed discipline, physical strength, and composure in the penalty shootout. Germany, on the other hand, needed more than that but didn't find it. When the match went to a tense penalty shootout, the South American team showed more composure.

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This defeat, therefore, is not just a shock in terms of the scoreline. It is a reminder that the German national team has not truly escaped the cycle of instability since 2014. Changes in coaches, player generations, and approaches have not created a team stable enough for the big stage.

The 2026 World Cup ended with Germany sighing in disappointment. VAR may have been a major blemish. The penalty shootout may have been the final tragedy. But what hurt the German press most was the familiar feeling: their team once again exited the tournament in a match where they had more possession, but couldn't find a way to win.

Source: https://znews.vn/tham-hoa-tuyen-duc-post1664489.html