Anticipation for knockout stage return
Germany is set to compete in the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in 12 years, facing Paraguay in the round of 32. The match is scheduled to take place at Boston Stadium. This marks a significant moment for the German national team, as their previous appearances in the knockout rounds concluded with them lifting the title in 2014, followed by a period where they did not advance past the group stage.
Despite finishing Group E as winners, Julian Nagelsmann’s side experienced a surprising defeat in their final group match against Ecuador in New York. Their group stage results included a 7-1 victory against Curaçao, a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast, and a 0-1 loss to Ecuador.
Paraguay, on the other hand, secured their spot in the knockout phase by finishing third in Group D. Their path to the last 32 included a 1-4 loss to the USA, a 1-0 win against Turkey, and a 0-0 draw with Australia. They will aim to deliver a significant upset against the four-time champions.
Team news and historical context
For Germany, defender Nico Schlotterbeck is unavailable due to an ankle injury sustained against Ivory Coast, which may rule him out for the remainder of the tournament. Nathaniel Brown, who missed the Ecuador game with a muscle issue, could potentially return to the squad.
Paraguay will be without Diego Gomez due to suspension. However, Miguel Almiron returns to the side after serving his ban. Assessments are ongoing for Omar Alderete and Ramon Sosa, who are dealing with knee and muscle injuries, respectively. The predicted lineup for Paraguay includes Gill; Caceres, Alderete, Velazquez, Alonso; Almiron, Galarza, Cubas, Mauricio; Avalos, Enciso.
Historically, Paraguay has posed challenges for strong teams in the World Cup knockout stages. In 1998, they required a Golden Goal from France to be eliminated. In 2002, Germany secured a late winner against them. In 2010, after defeating Japan on penalties, Paraguay gave eventual winners Spain a considerable scare, losing 1-0 after Oscar Cardozo had a penalty saved when the score was level. Even in 1986, despite a significant loss to England, Paraguay created opportunities to take the lead.
The match also marks a return to the knockout stage for Paraguay after a lengthy absence, though not as prolonged as Germany’s. They were quarter-finalists in 2010. The last time Germany played a World Cup knockout game was 4369 days ago, when Mario Gotze scored the winning goal against Argentina in the 2014 final.
Key players and future fixtures
Deniz Undav, who has scored three goals in the current World Cup, is expected to start upfront for Germany. For Paraguay, the return of Miguel Almiron after his suspension is a boost. Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal, a notable substitute, recently scored an injury-time winner for Brazil against Japan in another match, highlighting the impact key players can have in crucial moments.
The winners of the Germany versus Paraguay match will advance to the last 16, where they are scheduled to face either France or Sweden. This subsequent fixture will take place in Philadelphia on Saturday 4 July. The match between Germany and Paraguay is scheduled for Monday 29 June at 9.30pm BST.
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Source: theguardian.com
