Monday, June 29, 2026

World Cup: Germany v. Paraguay

We have reached the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup.  So far, we have had two games in the Round of 32.  Yesterday, Canada scored in injury time to beat South Africa 1-0.  Earlier today, Brazil trailed 1-0 at the half, but fought back to beat Japan 2-0.

Now we have Germany v. Paraguay.  Germany dominated possession in the first half, but failed to score.  On the other hand, Paraguay did score late in the first half to take a 1-0 lead into the break.  Now Paraguay just has to defend that lead for approximately 55 minutes, and they will be in the Round of 16.

26 comments:

  1. Germany scored to tie the game in the 54th minute, and the teams have been tied ever since. Germany scored again in the 102d minute, but the goal was disallowed after a long instant replay review. Now there are only 15 minutes left, and Paraguay is trying to hold on for penalty kicks.

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  2. Germany has had 76 percent of the possession, and has taken 18 shots to only 7 for Paraguay, but Paraguay still has a chance on penalty kicks.

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  3. Penalty kicks. First time in this World Cup. But not the last.

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  4. Paraguay could have won if it had converted either of its last two penalty kicks. But one hit the bar and the other was saved. We are 3-3 after five PK's, and now we go to SUDDEN DEATH penalty kicks.

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  5. The German kicker boots his shot well over the bar. For the third time in a row, Paraguay can win with a penalty kick.

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  6. Paraguay scores! Paraguay advances on penalty kicks. GERMANY ARE OUT!

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  7. That's the worst rule in all sports.

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  8. Let's be very clear. There is simply no doubt that Germany is better than Paraguay. Germany had the ball 73 percent of the time. Germany had three times as many shots on goal (21) as Paraguay (7). Germany had a goal disallowed after a very questionable video review. And yet Germany is out, and Paraguay moves on. There is no other major sport where it is so easy for a clearly inferior team to advance at the expense of a superior team -- and that is due almost entirely to the rule on penalty kicks. It's just a stupid, stupid way to break ties.

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  9. This is the first time Germany have ever been eliminated from the World Cup on PK's.

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  10. 20 minutes: Netherlands 0 - 0 Morocco

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  11. 30 minutes: Netherlands 0 - 0 Morocco

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  12. 40 minutes: Netherlands 0 - 0 Morocco

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  13. Halftime: Netherlands 0 - 0 Morocco

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  14. 50 minutes: Netherlands 0 - 0 Morocco

    The Dutch have had 53 percent of the possession and 4 goal attempts. Morocco has 47 percent of the possession and 5 goal attempts.

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  15. Winner of this game plays Canada in the next round.

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  16. 60 minutes: Netherlands 0 - 0 Morocco

    On paper, this is the best game of the Round of 32. But with so much pressure on both sides, neither team is willing to take much of a chance.

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    Replies
    1. To get really good soccer, you need someone to score. That opens up the game for both teams.

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  17. Morocco now have most of the possession. They have 57 percent of the possession, and 8 goal attempts to 5 for the Dutch.

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  18. 2d Half Water Break: Netherlands 0 - 0 Morocco

    I love the water breaks.

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  19. In Spanish, the water break is called "Pausa de Hidratacion." On Telemundo, they do not go to commercial during the water break, because they don't want to break away from the game. This is one of many reasons to watch the World Cup on Telemundo, as I do.

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  20. 70 minutes: Netherlands 0 - 0 Morocco

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  21. Hold the phone! The Dutch have scored! And one of their players appears to be hurt -- really hurt, not soccer hurt.

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  22. Morocco was on the attack, and suddenly the Dutch had a fast break going the other way. There were two Dutch guys chasing the ball, followed by two Moroccans. One Dutch guy fell passing to the other guy, and then that guy blast the ball past the Moroccans to put the Netherlands in the lead! He got tripped up and hit the ground hard, but now he appears to be OK.

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    Replies
    1. It was a beautiful goal -- looked just like a fast break.

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  23. 75 minutes: Netherlands 1 - 0 Morocco

    That's why soccer teams don't like to attack. But Morocco has no choice now, and the next 20 minutes should be pretty exciting.

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