Germany fans aren’t happy with one player in particular after a damning report emerged following their penalty shootout defeat against Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side finished top of Group E after beating Ivory Coast and Ecuador. Their reward was a last 32 tie against Paraguay.

Germany would have fancied their chances of defeating Paraguay and making it to the last 16. However, they were far from their best at the Boston Stadium.

Julio Enciso gave the Paraguayan’s a shock lead just before half-time, before Kai Havertz restored parity just after the break. The match went all the way to a penalty shootout and it was Paraguay who progressed in sudden death.

Germany Star Blasted For Actions During Penalty Shootout

Jonathan Tah, who had a goal controversially ruled out in the 103rd minute, stepped up to take Germany’s sixth penalty. The Bayern Munich defender sent his spot-kick flying over the bar, condemning Germany to defeat.

It has now been revealed that Tah took the sixth spot-kick after several of his teammates shied away.

According to BILD, there was internal difficulties in finding a sixth penalty taker. It’s reported that several players ‘hesitated and ducked out of’ taking the spot-kick.

Leon Goretzka, Waldemar Anton, Nathaniel Brown, Malick Thiaw and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer were all on the pitch and could have taken the sixth penalty, but none of them fancied their chances. With others hesitating, Tah, who has never taken a spot-kick in his professional football career, stepped up, but he could not hit the target.

Germany fans are not happy at all with Goretzka. Many think the experienced midfielder, who was subbed on in the second half, should have stepped up and taken a penalty.

“This is disgraceful,” one wrote, while another said: “Letting a central defender take a decisive penalty. Serious cowardice from a player with over seventy caps for his country.”

A third commented: “Goretzka is such a coward. He’s a 31-year-old attacker who has experience of scoring in a shootout yet leaves a centre-back to step up for his first kick.”

A fourth wrote: “If a player with as much experience as Goreztka backs out and lets a guy who’s never taken a penalty before take his place, that should be the end of his international career.”

A fifth said: “Goretzka should never be named to the national team again. What a coward move,” while a sixth stated: “It’s legitimately insane that Goretzka, one of the most senior members of the team, a part of multiple World Cups and probably seen as one of the locker room leaders, didn’t step up when needed.”

Julian Naglesmann Won’t Resign as Germany Manager

REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Nagelsmann has expressed his desire to continue as Germany manager despite their shock exit. He said, per the Guardian:

He added: “If we did a survey today in Germany people would not speak positively about me today. But in football you win some and you lose some, it’s always been that way, we haven’t really done much in this tournament to make people celebrate, but I have a lot of confidence that we could have done a better job.

“But I don’t think that everyone in Germany will agree with me staying on as manager of the Mannschaft. It was very difficult because they were ultra-defensive. We didn’t give enough. When you exit the World Cup after you play Paraguay then it is very bitter. If you do not score many goals then it is not enough. It is very hurtful.”

Nagelsmann has been Germany’s manager since 2023. He has won 23 of his 37 games in charge.

Novak Djokovic once gave a fascinating response when asked to rank the five greatest tennis players in history, including his longtime rival Rafael Nadal.

The Serbian superstar is widely regarded as the most accomplished tennis player ever, having captured a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles throughout his remarkable career. He also became the first player to win every Grand Slam tournament at least three times and has enjoyed extraordinary longevity, remaining the last active member of the famed ‘Big Four’ as of summer 2026.

Djokovic spent the majority of his career competing against Nadal and Roger Federer, two legends he faced countless times. His rivalries with both men helped define one of tennis’ greatest eras, but DAZN challenged him in March 2025 to rank more than just those two Open Era icons.

For many players, analysts, and supporters, deciding who deserves the fourth spot on tennis’ Mount Rushmore remains a difficult debate. While three names are virtually guaranteed, opinions often differ when it comes to selecting the final place.

Novak Djokovic’s Top 5

Andy Murray

Susan Mullane (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Although players such as Stan Wawrinka and Juan Martin del Potro built outstanding careers worthy of praise, Andy Murray‘s achievements make a particularly compelling case. Had the Scot not competed during the same era as three all-time greats, his accomplishments would likely have received even greater recognition.

Murray lifted three Grand Slam trophies, including memorable Wimbledon triumphs in 2013 and 2016. His first title at the All England Club came after a straight-sets 6–4, 7–5, 6–4 victory over Djokovic on Centre Court. He also claimed the 2012 US Open and reached 11 Grand Slam finals, frequently running into Djokovic and Federer on the biggest stages.

Following Murray’s retirement, Djokovic appointed the Scot as his coach in November 2024. Although the partnership lasted only six months, Djokovic made it clear why he wanted him in his corner, saying: “Andy is just an amazing person. First of all, someone that I have spent most of my career with since a very young age on the tour, travelling, playing him, facing him in the earliest days, under-12 and all the way through to the last days of his career.”

Andre Agassi

Djokovic placed Andre Agassi fourth in his blind ranking, a choice backed up by the American’s impressive resume of eight Grand Slam titles. Agassi excelled on hard courts, winning the Australian Open four times, while also lifting the Wimbledon trophy in 1992. He remains one of only five men in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam.

Agassi and Djokovic crossed paths only once on tour, with the American nearing retirement as the Serbian was beginning his rise. Agassi’s final French Open appearance ended in a 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 defeat before he retired after the US Open and later, like Murray, joined Djokovic’s coaching team in 2017.

Djokovic explained how much Agassi influenced him, saying: “He’s someone that inspires me a lot. He has been through all these transitions. He has been in my shoes before playing Grand Slams, being the best in the world and facing all the challenges.”

Pete Sampras

If not for Pete Sampras, Djokovic may never have fallen in love with tennis in the first place. The American legend’s dominance and influence left a lasting impression, particularly through his exceptional serve-and-volley game and remarkable mental resilience.

Sampras consistently delivered under pressure, helping him collect 14 Grand Slam titles, including seven Wimbledon crowns. Djokovic has often admired the way “Pistol Pete” produced his best tennis during the most important moments of major finals.

That admiration likely included Sampras’ victory over Pat Rafter in the 2000 Wimbledon final, which secured what was then a record 13th Grand Slam title. Djokovic had also watched him win his first Wimbledon championship in 1993, defeating Jim Courier 7–6, 7–6, 3–6, 6–3.

Djokovic once recalled: “I watched him win one of his first Wimbledon championships, and I grew up playing and thinking that one day I’ll be able to do what he does.”

Roger Federer

Roger Federer remains the most successful Wimbledon men’s singles champion in history, and at his peak, his complete game was a joy to watch. The Swiss combined grace, precision, and effortless movement, particularly on grass courts, where he was often at his very best.

Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon singles titles still stands, although Djokovic defeated him in each of their three finals at the All England Club. Federer ended his career with 20 Grand Slam titles and competed at the highest level into his 40s before retiring in September 2022.

Beyond his achievements, Federer earned universal admiration for his professionalism and sportsmanship. Djokovic has frequently praised his longtime rival, saying: “Federer is the most talented one, the most beautiful to watch when playing. He moved so lightly, so elegantly, and so efficiently.”

Rafael Nadal

According to Djokovic, Rafael Nadal sits at the very top of the list. The pair produced one of the greatest rivalries in sporting history, meeting 60 times as contrasting styles and relentless determination captivated tennis fans around the world.

Although Djokovic finished with 31 victories from those 60 encounters, he openly admitted that facing Nadal at his very best was among the toughest challenges in the sport.

Nadal captured 22 Grand Slam singles titles during his career, highlighted by an astonishing 14 French Open championships—an achievement unmatched at Court Philippe-Chatrier. He also won Wimbledon twice, cementing his reputation as one of the greatest all-court players the game has ever seen.

Djokovic also paid tribute to Nadal’s lasting impact on tennis, saying: “Rafa has inspired generations with his work ethic and passion. His abilities on court are something I have always admired and respected.”

Ben Stokes shocked the cricketing world by announcing his retirement from international cricket on Sunday during the third Test against New Zealand.

The England cricketer was in the middle of a bowling spell at Trent Bridge in Nottingham when his intention to end a 15-year international career was announced. However, the shockwaves he had just unleashed didn’t seem to faze him, as he took a wicket with his first delivery after the news, getting Zak Foulkes caught at second slip.

Ben Stokes Calls Time On Truly Illustrious Career

Andrew Boyers via Reuters

Stokes was born in New Zealand, but has captained England’s Test team since April 2022. It’s not just in the five-day format where he’s tasted success, though, winning the T20 World Cup by five wickets and top-scoring in the final versus Pakistan in the same year. This was only the country’s second T20 World Cup title, drawing them level with the West Indies. In achieving this win, England became the first team to simultaneously hold the Cricket World Cup trophy and the T20 World Cup trophy.

Stokes is regarded as one of England’s greatest all-rounders, and in 2024, he scored the fastest Test half-century by an England player, reaching his 50 off just 24 balls, beating Ian Botham’s 1981 record by four deliveries. His incredible 84 in 2019 against New Zealand guided England to their first World Cup title, in a game which has been lauded as ‘the greatest game of cricket ever played.’

However, his side wouldn’t be so lucky in their most recent match-up with the Black Caps, as they were demolished by 160 runs to confirm a 2-1 series defeat, a devastating conclusion to Stokes’ illustrious international career. He failed to feature in the second Test of the series following an incident in a London nightclub, which he will surely now be ruing.

It comes after yet another loss to Australia in The Ashes late last year. Australia raced to a 3-0 lead in the series, and though England managed to avoid total humiliation, winning the fourth Test in Melbourne by four wickets to end an 18-match and 14-year losing streak in Australia in Ashes Tests, the Aussies came out on top in the fifth by five wickets, sealing a 4-1 series win for the hosts.

It was thought that Stokes would remain for next year’s Ashes to try to win back the urn for England, but he has confirmed he is ‘done’ and will not rethink his decision.

Ben Stokes’ Favourite to Replace Him

Andrew Boyers via Reuters

Following his retirement, the 35-year-old has named his ideal successor for the captaincy, hailing Harry Brook as his choice. This comes in spite of coach Brendon McCullum’s decision to captain Joe Root in the absence of Stokes and Gus Atkinson due to disciplinary issues, which Stokes asserts he had no influence on.

He said: “There’s a reason why he [Brook] was asked to be vice-captain of this team. I know, with all the controversy over the last couple of weeks, there were some decisions that were made, but those were decisions that I wasn’t part of making.

“You’re asked to be vice-captain of a team for a certain reason. I was vice-captain under Joe [Root] for a long time, and it’s a natural progression. If the captain’s not there or unavailable, then you step up to be that, so there’s obviously no reason why Harry [Brook] shouldn’t be asked to do that.”

Stokes proceeded to praise Brook’s ability and professed that perhaps the captaincy role could be further motivation for him.

Andrew Boyers via Reuters

The Durham cricketer stood firm in his endorsement of the 27-year-old and concluded: “Only time will tell, but you don’t ask someone to be vice-captain if you don’t think that they’ve got the skills and the ability to be able to captain the team when they need to.

Andrew Boyers via Reuters

Stokes’ departure also highlights the potential end of the ‘Bazball’ era which altered England’s approach to Test cricket in recent years. In tandem with McCullum, Stokes was a key figure in that ultra-aggressive and fearless style which initially galvanised England but eventually bred inconsistent results.

Their loss to New Zealand was their seventh defeat in their last nine Test matches, signalling that a change in tactics to a more conservative style could be required against top opposition. While they are unlikely to lose all of their fearsome attacking play which has embodied their new identity, they will have to make adjustments now that Stokes has laid down his bat.