Germany's penalty nightmare: three stars falter against Paraguay

Germany's national side suffered a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay last night, ending a flawless record in such contests. In the decisive spot‑kick round, three DFB stars missed their attempts, sealing the team's exit at the round‑of‑32 stage of the tournament. Until last night the German national team had never lost a penalty shootout, a record that set them apart in international tournaments. Only one German player had previously failed from the spot, Uli Stielike, whose miss came in 1982 against France on the so‑called “Night of Seville.” The quarter‑final clash with Paraguay turned into a dramatic finish as the shootout progressed. Three DFB stars lost their nerve, each failing to convert their penalties, which tipped the balance in Paraguay's favour.

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In that 1982 encounter, Toni Schumacher saved the subsequent attempts, while Horst Hrubesch stepped up to score the decisive penalty. Germany then advanced to the final against Italy, where the match ended 1‑3. The loss to Paraguay means Germany's campaign ends after the round of 32. The team must now return home, reflecting on a night that shattered a long‑standing penalty record.

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This article was translated into English by artificial intelligence. The original version remains available in German.