‘This takes Germany into a huge hole’: Jurgen Klinsmann after loss to Paraguay

“At the very end it looked like they were not prepared for a penalty shootout, which for is for us insane, because we love penalty shootouts, usually. The way we went out tonight is devastating, is an embarrassment, is something that nobody, nobody expected. It’s pretty much as horrible as the exits were in Qatar four years ago, and in Russia eight years ago. So this takes Germany into a huge, huge hole,” he added.

"It's a very sad day for all of us in Germany. … The way we went out I think is hugely, hugely disappointing."

Jürgen Klinsmann reacted to Germany's defeat in the Round of 32 to Paraguay ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/sZIBKXGylW

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The Round of 32 exit vs Paraguay was the latest in a long line of disappointing results at the World Cups. In 2022 at Qatar, in a group which consisted of Spain, Costa Rica and Japan, the Germans finished third and were eliminated. In 2018 at Russia, they finished last in a group that was made up of South Korea, Sweden and Mexico and were knocked out.

On Tuesday, Jose Canale scored on the first sudden death penalty kick, Orlando Gill made two key saves and Paraguay upset Germany 4-3 on penalties after finishing regulation 1-1 to earn the biggest upset of the 2026 World Cup so far to advance to the round of 16 for the first time since 2010.

Paraguay went in front in regulation when Julio Enciso scored on a header late in the first half. Kai Havertz equalized in the 52nd minute for Germany.