Fifa World Cup 2026: Germany and the Netherlands are eliminated after losing on penalties to Paraguay and Morocco respectively
Germany had never before lost a penalty shootout at a World Cup while Paraguayans have been granted a national holiday to commemorate their win
Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil came from behind to knock Japan out and reach the last 16
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Surely there is a niche market for new concepts on how to play against a low block? Some top teams have really struggled against opponents that have played that way at this World Cup. Germany, Spain and England to name just three.
Damien, Westport
Maybe Sweden or France will be able to give everyone some pointers when they play against Paraguay in the last 16?
Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay won 4-3 on pens)
Tim Vickery
South American football expert on 5 Live Breakfast
The Paraguay defensive line, they're like a collection of nightclub bouncers - sorry your name is not on the list you're not getting into the penalty area.
And then they decided to take a collective night off and were swept away in the first half of their opening 4-1 defeat to the United States.
But so often a huge part of a success story is failure, no-one has ever succeeded without failing somewhere along the line and that defeat I think it did them the world of good.
There was no way they were going to defend that badly twice.
So, the next game Turkey, they managed to beat Turkey 1-0, and they all became bouncers again.
They have a way of playing where they will defend where it seems desperate but calm.
Image source, Getty ImagesRemember that I said Paraguay had been described as a collection of nightclub bouncers?
I can't claim that - it was BBC Sport's South American football expert Tim Vickery on 5 Live Breakfast earlier today...
Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay won 4-3 on pens)
This fan was certainly pleased with her country's win over Germany...
Paraguay fan SCENES!
Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay won 4-3 on pens)
Julio Enciso - the former Brighton and Ipswich player - has been involved in three goals for Paraguay at this World Cup, with one goal and two assists.
That is tied for the most goal involvements by a Paraguayan in the last 60 years with Roberto Cabañas (1986) and Francisco Arce (2002).
Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay won 4-3 on pens)
The nagging regret for Germany is that this game should never have gone to a penalty shootout.
They were so much on top, but could not find a way past that resolute Paraguay defence, other than Kai Havertz's glancing second-half header to equalise Julio Enciso's first-half opener - one of only three efforts the Paraguayans had on target.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay won 4-3 on pens)
What an extraordinary stat.
Germany had been involved in four penalty shootout wins at previous World Cups, before losing at the fifth attempt against Paraguay.
Quite apt for a sequence of penalty shootouts, when you think about it.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay won 4-3 on pens)
Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah all missed penalties in last night's shootout.
Prior to this, only one German man had ever missed a penalty in a World Cup shootout - Uli Stielike in the 1982 World Cup semi-final win against France.
Image source, Getty ImagesGermany 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay won 4-3 on pens)
After missing a penalty against Curacao in the group stage, Kai Havertz stepped up again and missed the shootout’s opener before Mauricio put Paraguay 1–0 ahead.
Both captains, Germany’s Joshua Kimmich and Paraguay’s Gustavo Gomez, converted to make it 2–1.
Jamal Musiala went low to beat Orlando Gill, but Galarza kept his cool and restored Paraguay’s lead.
Newcastle's Woltemade then missed, giving Antonio Sanabria the chance to win it, but he failed to convert.
Amiri levelled the scores, and Neuer kept Germany alive with a save to his left to deny Balbuena.
The shootout went to sudden death and ended when Jonathan Tah smashed his effort over the bar, allowing Kanali to score and send the four‑time champions home.
Relive thrilling penalty shootout between Germany and Paraguay
Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay won 4-3 on pens)
If we are talking national identity, this is a morning of introspection for Germany.
Until today the nation could proudly proclaim:
"We have never lost a World Cup penalty shootout."
But they have now.
Welcome to the club...
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If winning by defending for the entire match, having 25% possession and scoring on a random break is the future of football, the game will die. So sad that the pundits think Paraguay put on a brilliant display :(
Lionel, West Sussex
Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay won 4-3 on pens)
It's interesting what the Paraguay president said about the manner of his country's performance against Germany:
"Victory of a team that represents the deepest part of our identity: the grit, the faith, and the strength of a people who never give up."
I have heard Paraguay's approach to defending described as akin to a nightclub bouncer - locking down the penalty area and telling the opposition "you are not coming in".
Ghana almost beat England with a similar approach.
Germany go out of World Cup on penalties for first time
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As I drew Paraguay in the sweepstake, does this mean I get a day off work today to celebrate the national holiday?
George, Surrey
Go on George, did you have your eye on the booby prize for worst team after Paraguay's opening 4-1 loss to the USA?
Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay won 4-3 on pens)
Paraguayans have been granted a national holiday tomorrow after their win over Germany.
The country's leader, President Santiago Peña, posted on social media: "Today, an entire country celebrates.
"It celebrates the victory of a team that represents the deepest part of our identity: the grit, the faith, and the strength of a people who never give up. Thank you, Albirroja, for gifting us this immense joy and for once again uniting millions of Paraguayans under the same flag."
Pena also posted the text of the decree, which said:
"The National Government cannot remain indifferent to this tremendous achievement - which goes far beyond sports - and therefore deems it necessary to facilitate the gathering of all Paraguayans in the celebration of this historic day, declaring Tuesday, June 30, 2026, a National Holiday."
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Struggling to remember a day when as many possible winners or dark horses have gone out in the same day, and it’s only the second day of the knockouts!
Jack, London
Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay won 4-3 on pens)
This was Germany's first-ever loss in a penalty shootout at a World Cup.
They'd won all four penalty shootouts in previous tournaments.
The last time Germany lost on penalties in any competition was at 1976 Euro's final against Czechoslovakia, when they were bamboozled by certain Antonín Panenka.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay won 4-3 on pens)
Since we are talking penalties, it's about time we move on to Germany.
Everyone remembers their first, don't they?
Things looked to be improving for Germany after they ended a run of two consecutive group-stage exits at the last two World Cups.
But after winning their opening two matches, Julien Nagelsmann's side stumbled to a 2-1 loss against Ecuador in their final group game.
That was just a blip, right? Nothing was on the line for them, they were already group winners.
But that malaise continued into the German's last-32 tie against Paraguay.
They controlled the play but after being held to a 1-1 draw lost 4-3 on penalties...yes, penalties...
Canale scores winning penalty after Tah blazes over as Germany knocked out
Netherlands 1-1 Morocco (Morocco won 3-2 on penalties)
When it comes to penalties, it was a familiar tale for Ronald Koeman and his side.
The Netherlands have tasted penalty shootout defeat eight times in 10 penalty shootouts in tournament football:
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Can I just thank Germany and Holland now, for providing what will be some much needed context for England's upcoming struggles against DR Congo on Wednesday evening.
Stephen, Kent
If you are like me and scrolling back mentally through England's penalty misery, that last stat is correct.
England have only lost three World Cup matches on penalties:
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 9 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 10 | -8 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 8 | -6 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 3 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 | -8 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 7 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 12 | -10 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 5 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 10 | -6 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 2 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 2 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 9 |
| |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 6 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 12 | -11 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 9 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 11 | -9 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
| |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 4 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 2 |
|
