Germany knocked out by Paraguay after VAR cancels Tah header

Germany were sensationally dumped out of the 2026 World Cup after losing 4-3 on penalties to Paraguay following a 1-1 draw in Foxborough. Julian Nagelsmann’s side dominated possession (75 percent) and outshot their opponents 21-7, but fell behind to Julio Enciso’s 42nd-minute opener.

Kai Havertz levelled shortly after half-time with a header from a Florian Wirtz cross, and Jonathan Tah’s extra-time header from a Nathaniel Brown corner was disallowed after a VAR review of contact between Waldemar Anton and Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill. The match went to a shootout in which Havertz missed the opening spot-kick and substitute Nick Woltemade also failed from the spot.

Paraguay had earlier squandered two chances when Antonio Sanabria dragged his effort wide and Manuel Neuer saved from Fabian Balbuena, but Tah then blasted his penalty over the bar and Jose Canale converted the decisive kick after a performance that had helped Paraguay repel sustained German pressure over 120 minutes.

germany, paraguay, world cup, foxborough, julian nagelsmann, kai havertz, jonathan tah, julio enciso, var review, penalty shootout