PLAYER RATINGS | Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay win 4-3 on penalties)

PLAYER RATINGS | Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay win 4-3 on penalties) Paraguay shocked four-time world champions Germany by knocking them out of the last 32 through a penalty shootout. The South Americans had less of the ball but managed to make their chances count and continuously disturbed Julian Nagelsmann’s team. Then they stepped up when it mattered during the penalty shootouts to book their place in the last 16, where they will face either France or Sweden. Paraguay takes first-half lead Germany opted to play Deniz Undav instead of Jamal Musiala for this game. However, the attacking front failed to combine and create clear-cut chances.  Paraguay started brightly as they won a corner kick in the second minute, but Junior Alonso’s attempt was saved by Manuel Neuer.  In the first half, Germany enjoyed much of the possession but failed to make it count. And in the 42nd minute, it was Julio Enciso who gave Paraguay the lead through a header as he found himself unmarked in the box.  Germany upped the Pressure At half-time, Nagelsmann chose to bring on Leon Goretzka for Felix Nmecha, who had impressed in previous games but failed to find his feet in this one.  Germany concentrated on putting in crosses for their attackers and using corner kicks to test Paraguay keeper Orlando Gill. And this was exactly how Germany managed to find the equaliser. Havertz flicked an incoming cross from Florian Wirtz to level matters.  Germany pushed further to find the winner, but there were wasted chances by Havertz.  As the game went into extra-time, Waldemar Anton was brought on to allow Joshua Kimmich to move into midfield. Nick Woltemade also came on, but Germany’s push for a winner proved to be difficult.  There was a controversial moment in which Jonathan Tah’s headed goal from a corner was disallowed because of a foul on the Paraguay keeper, but apart from that, Germany didn’t come close to scoring.  The game eventually was decided on penalties, in which Paraguay won 4-3 with Havertz, Woltemade, and Tah missing their respective penalties.  Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay advance on penalties) – Player Ratings Manuel Neuer (5), Joshua Kimmich (4), Jonathan Tah (5), Antonio Rudiger (4), Nathaniel Brown- (5), Leroy Sane (3), Felix Nmecha (3), Aleksandar Pavlović (4), Florian Wirtz (5), Kai Havertz (4), Deniz Undav (3),  Others: Leon Goretzka (4), Jamal Musiala (3),  Waldemar Anton (3), Woltemade (-), Amiri (-), Thiaw (-) GGFN | Brook Genene