Germany’s World Cup Exit: Nagelsmann Reacts to Penalty Loss
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann admitted his side paid the price for slow attacking play after their FIFA World Cup campaign ended with a shock Round of 32 defeat to Paraguay.
The match finished 1-1 after extra time, forcing a penalty shootout. Germany lost 4-3, with Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah all missing their spot‑kicks, sending Paraguay through to the next round.
Nagelsmann’s Assessment of the Performance
Nagelsmann said his players failed to take control of the game early and were not direct enough in the final third. He described the dressing‑room mood as one of dejection.
“There’s a real sense of dejection in the dressing room. Unfortunately, that’s how football works sometimes; some teams can win with simple means. And you have to defend against those means consistently,” Nagelsmann said.
He added, “We took too long to make our opponent chase the game. We could have put the ball into the box far more often. We have to settle the game before it gets to penalties. Our build‑up play was too slow.”
Controversial VAR Decision Draws Klopp’s Criticism
Paraguay had taken the lead through Julio Enciso before Havertz levelled early in the second half. Germany thought they had found a dramatic winner in extra time when Jonathan Tah headed the ball home, only for the goal to be ruled out after a VAR review for a foul by Waldemar Anton on goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp was among those who criticised the decision, arguing that similar goals have regularly been allowed in the Premier League.
Klopp told Magenta TV, “If the goal is illegal, then Arsenal won’t be English champions. They’ve scored 60 percent of their goals that way. We win the game when the ball goes in. So, of course, this is brutal.”
The incident has reignited debate over the consistency of VAR interventions across different leagues, while Germany now faces a period of reflection ahead of future internationals.
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