Can Germany win the World Cup after getting out of the groups for the first time since 2014? The perennial challengers showed enough in spells during the group stage to suggest they can be a threat but certainly appear to have weaknesses in their side.
First up on the knockout path is a last-32 tie against Paraguay in Boston.
The south American side beat Turkey to seal a third-placed finish and progress for the first time since reaching the quarter finals back in 2010.
Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany side looked like genuine tournament heavyweights during their first two matches, obliterating Curaçao 7-1 and edging past the Ivory Coast 2-1.
However, the loss to Ecuador served as a stark reminder of their defensive vulnerabilities. The Germans will heavily rely on the creative spark of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz to break down a low block.
Paraguay bounced back from an opening 4-1 defeat against the United States by putting on a defensive masterclass, defeating Turkey 1-0 and frustrating Australia to a 0-0 draw. They will heavily rely on their signature “South American grit” and organization to stay alive.
Nagelsmann was understandably unhappy at the delay in finding out who their opponents would be in the new system.
He said: “I think you’re a bit punished as a group winner.
“We divided up the potential opponents. I watched three or four matches, and the analysis team did as well. Everyone can imagine there are better ways to spend Saturday night than working through it.
“It will be an all-nighter; we want to have large parts of it prepared so we don’t have to create the match plan in a huge rush on Sunday. We’ll manage it, we’re almost all still young in the coaching staff, so we can work through the night if necessary.”
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Team news for Germany v Paraguay
Germany lost defender Nico Schlotterbeck to a serious ankle injury which ended his tournament but hope that full-back Nathaniel Brown will be fit to return from injury.
Paragut midfielder Diego Gomez is suspended but former Newcastle man Miguel Almiron is back from a ban of his own.
Predicted line-ups for Germany v Paraguay
Germany: Neuer; Kimmich, Rudiger, Tah, Brown; Nmecha, Pavlovic; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz
Paraguay: Gill; Caceres, Alderete, Velazquez, Alonso; Almiron, Galarza, Cubas, Mauricio; Avalos, Enciso
Where to watch Germany v Paraguay: TV and online streams
The match kicks off at 9.30pm UK time on Monday 29 June. It is broadcast live on BBC One and the iplayer and can be streamed live on the BBC Sport website.
Stats for Germany v Paraguay
- Should he start this game, Manuel Neuer will become Germany’s all-time leading starter in FIFA World Cup matches, with this next his 23rd, surpassing both Lothar Matthäus and Miroslav Klose on 22 each.
- Paraguay are yet to score a goal in the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup, playing five matches. It’s the longest run of knockout games without scoring by any side in the tournament’s history.
- This is Germany’s first FIFA World Cup knockout match since they won the 2014 final 1-0 against Argentina. They’ve won eight of their last nine knockout games, losing the other 1-0 to Spain in the 2010 semi-final.
Prediction for Germany v Paraguay
Germany 2-0 Paraguay
Germany have their faults but scoring goals is not one of them – and Paraguay don’t look like carrying enough threat at the other end.
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