Germany's World Cup penalty nightmare
Germany is still reeling from its first ever World Cup penalty shootout defeat, but there is an extra layer of embarrassment to contend with for a nation that has prided itself on its spot kick expertise. Defeat against Paraguay underpinned what was branded a 'disaster' of a campaign by Kai Havertz, who was one of three players to fluff their lines from 12 yards. Germany had won six straight major tournament shootouts, including two against England, and lost none since defeat against the then Czechoslovakia in the final of the 1976 European Championships when Antonín Panenka's improvisation etched his name into football's history books for eternity.
As if it wasn't bad enough to exit a World Cup prematurely for the third straight tournament in a row, it has subsequently emerged that four members of Julian Nagelsmann's squad were reluctant to step forward and spare their nation's blushes. According to German outlet Bild, the four players who showed hesitation were Leon Goretzka, Waldemar Anton, Nathaniel Brown and Malick Thiaw.
Reluctant stars and a fatal miss
After Paraguay blew two opportunities of their own to win the contest, it was centre-half Jonathan Tah who stepped forward and attempted to swing the momentum further in his side's favour after Manuel Neuer had saved from Fabian Balbuena. The Bayern Munich defender displayed a fatal lack of composure, however, blasting his effort way over the crossbar, and there was no way back once Jose Canale converted and booked Paraguay's place in the last 16. According to Bild, Tah had never taken a penalty at professional level before and only took the responsibility upon himself after four of his teammates displayed signs of reluctance.
Goretzka, who has represented his country on 72 occasions, was asked twice by his captain and club teammate Joshua Kimmich to step up but he flatly refused. The Bayern Munich veteran's decision was perhaps the most surprising given his experience and seniority in the squad.
Brutal backlash in German media
Germany's early exit triggered brutal headlines and angry commentaries in some of the country's top media titles. Bild's front-page headline described the result as 'The next German football nightmare', while columnist Marion Horn took strong exception to how Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz had reacted to the defeat. Merz wrote on his official X account: 'Even though the elimination hurts: What a game, @DFB_Team! With your commitment and team spirit at this World Cup, you have thrilled our country. We are proud of you.'
Horn said the post was a 'disaster' and 'devastating', adding: 'The brutal World Cup defeat against Paraguay, the coach, the attitude and the performance of the German players are symptomatic of the state of the entire country. We are at best second-class: Our economy is experiencing an unprecedented downward spiral in every respect, with bankruptcies and de-industrialisation on a daily basis. And German football is now living solely off its past reputation. And if I'm to believe (1990 World Cup-winning captain) Lothar Matthaus, then within the team, it was a more important issue whose mother was allowed to fly on the private jet and whose wasn't, than how we would win the cup.'
Horn continued: 'And the worst is yet to come. Following the defeat, Chancellor Merz writes: "With your commitment and team spirit at this World Cup, you have thrilled our country. We are proud of you". Chancellor, that's simply not true!!! I will not accept second-rate treatment. I'm not proud. I'm angry. I'm disappointed. I'm furious! Our children only know Germany as a loser!'
Die Welt columnist Ulf Poschardt took a similar line in a piece headlined: 'Only a successful Germany is worth living in'. Football news outlet Kicker described the result as 'a damning indictment of German football – and Nagelsmann'. The criticism reflects a broader sense of decline in German football and society, with the national team's struggles mirroring economic woes and a loss of confidence.
