Germany's men's national football team was eliminated from the World Cup on Tuesday after losing a penalty shootout to Paraguay, following a 1-1 draw in the knockout stage.
The defeat marks Germany's third consecutive failure to reach the tournament's last 16, extending a decade-long struggle for the former champions.
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Their last victory in a World Cup knockout match remains the 2014 final.
Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade, and Jonathan Tah all missed their penalty attempts before Jose Canale converted the decisive spot-kick to secure Paraguay's advancement in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Pressure Mounts on Nagelsmann
The result puts intense pressure on Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann, whose future is highly uncertain amid speculation about a potential successor.
Nagelsmann faced significant roster challenges before the tournament, losing key players Lennart Karl and Serge Gnabry to injuries.
Several squad members also endured difficult club seasons, including Florian Wirtz at Liverpool and Nick Woltemade at Newcastle, limiting tactical options.
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German tactical analysts suggest the team's recent emphasis on possession-based football has diminished traditional strengths like physical presence and competitive edge.
While the country has numerous options for the attacking midfielder role, it has lacked a traditional center-forward since Miroslav Klose's retirement.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Nagelsmann expressed his desire to remain with the program. Following the defeat, German players voiced their disappointment.
"Shock is probably a fine word," said Havertz.
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Paraguay will advance to their next scheduled match in Pennsylvania, while the German delegation returns home to evaluate the national program's future.
