Germany suffered a shock elimination from the World Cup last night, defeated on penalties by Paraguay. The other night's match also proved surprising, but not by much, when Morocco—last year's semifinalists—defeated the Netherlands (also on penalties).
Germany-Paraguay
Paraguay exposed all the weaknesses of Nagelsmann's team, a far from impenetrable defense and a talented but cumbersome attack, achieving the first major feat of the tournament.
Paraguay took the lead shortly before halftime through Enciso, and early in the second half, the Germans equalized through Haavertz. Both goals were headers. Germany attempted to turn things around, but their long siege was ineffective. The South Americans managed to drag the game to a penalty shootout, where errors by Haavertz, Woltemade, and Tah weighed heavily. These penalties doomed Germany, despite Neuer's save that had put the match back on track.
In the end, the colorful Paraguayan people celebrated, with the president declaring today a national holiday, while Germany once again failed to reach the round of 16 since 2014. Paraguay will play in eighth place against France or Sweden.
Netherlands-Morocco
A similar scenario unfolded for the Netherlands-Morocco match, with the Oranje losing on penalties for their third consecutive World Cup and ending the match in tears. It was the most prestigious of the sixteen matches, and the Netherlands were without Roma's Malen and former AC Milan player Reijnders for the entire 120 minutes.
The Netherlands, bucking their tradition, forgoes their champagne-colored football and defends deep, while Morocco repeatedly troubles a sensational Verbruggen. In the middle of the second half, after Hakimi hits the post, the Oranje surprisingly take the lead through Gakpo, who capitalizes on an assist from Summerville. Morocco earns a well-deserved equalizer deep into injury time through Diop.
Morocco prevailed in extra time, too, with the goalkeeper saving the Netherlands and dragging the match to penalties. Five errors and five goals, three for Morocco to two for the Netherlands, who thus bowed out of the World Cup. Bounou was once again a hero, having won the shootout against Spain in 2022, saving Summerville's penalty and giving Saibari the match point, who made no mistake. Morocco will face Canada in the round of 16.
The round of 32 matches
Germany-Paraguay 1-2 (penalty)
France-Sweden
South Africa-Canada 0-1
Netherlands-Morocco 1-2 (penalty)
Portugal-Croatia
Spain-Austria
USA-Bosnia
Belgium-Senegal
Brazil-Japan 2-1
Ivory Coast-Norway
Mexico-Ecuador
England-Congo
Argentina-Cape Verde
Australia-Egypt
Switzerland-Algeria
Colombia-Ghana
(Unioneonline)
