The World Cup’s first giant-killing unfolded on Monday evening as Germany crashed out in the Round of 32 after losing on penalties to Paraguay.

Paraguay sat back for the majority of the first half and frustrated Julian Nagelsmann’s men. That said, they were the ones who went closest in the opening 45 minutes when Junior Alonso arrived at the far post, but Manuel Neuer blocked his effort.

The Germans then dominated possession but couldn’t break down a stern Paraguayan defence. Other than Alonso’s attempt in the first minute, the South Americans rarely made it out of their 18-yard box.

The game sprang into life in the 42nd minute when Paraguay took a shock lead through Strasbourg striker Julio Enciso. The former Brighton & Hove Albion man produced a fine header that left Manuel Neuer rooted to his spot.

Germany levelled in the 53rd minute after Florian Wirtz delivered a dangerous cross into the box. The faintest of touches from Kai Havertz’s head guided the ball past Orlando Gill.

The game opened up heading into the final 15 minutes of the second half, and both sides searched for a winner. Jonathan Tah thought he’d bagged it during extra-time with a tidy header only for VAR to intervene and rule the goal out.

A feisty finish to regulation time saw Jamal Musiala escape a red card after a reckless challenge on Matias Galarza. The Paraguayan got revenge and perhaps also counted himself lucky not to receive his marching orders.

Havertz and Nick Woltemade were denied from the spot as Nagelsmann’s side woefully exited the World Cup. A tournament to forget for one of the biggest nations in world football.

Match Highlights

Still to come…

Germany Player Ratings

Phil Noble via Reuters

It’s easy to see why Germany fans have been critical of Julian Nagelsmann as his men were lacklustre throughout the first half. Wirtz isn’t a winger, and the Germans lack width when he’s playing on the left.

Wirtz put a quiet first-half behind him to deliver an inch-perfect cross for Havertz’s equaliser. The Arsenal man is a nuisance in the box and he also grew into the game.

Nathaniel Brown has been hailed amid a move to Bayern Munich, but on today’s showing he needs to improve defensively. The young left-back reacted poorly to the cross that led to Enciso’s goal.

The four-time world champions lack a prolific goalscorer, and Deniz Undav is no Miroslav Klose. Nagelsmann’s decision to start the Stuttgart forward didn’t pay off.

Felix Nmecha will be hoping Manchester United scouts weren’t in attendance, as the Red Devils’ midfield target wasn’t at his best. Neither was Joshua Kimmich, whose defensive weaknesses make clear he should be playing in midfield.

Paraguay Player Ratings

Peter Cziborra via Action Images via Reuters

Paraguay’s defence did well in the first half and were well organised to handle Germany’s attack, who grew frustrated. Jose Canale, in particular, performed like a brick wall, preventing the Germans from getting through the spaces.

Julio Enciso came up with a fine header to give his side the lead, and his movement caused problems for Nagelsmann’s defence. So too did former Newcastle United attacker Miguel Almiron, who worked hard on and off the ball for the South Americans.

Gustavo Alfaro was handed a massive headache when Ensico and Gabriel Avalos both went down with injuries and couldn’t continue. That said, Gustavo Caballero came on, and the Portsmouth loanee nearly made Germany pay on the counter on several occasions.

Neymar’s tweet immediately after Brazil’s last-gasp World Cup win against Japan has gone viral. The veteran didn’t get on the pitch, but was quick to shut up one major doubter.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men made a second-half comeback after falling behind to a Kaishu Sano strike to progress to the Round of 16, where they’ll meet either Ivory Coast or Norway. Casemiro and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli scored the goals to send the South Americans through.

Not content with just winning in stoppage time, Brazil’s players have been on a mission to prove a point to their doubters. First, Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha was spotted shouting a five-word message to a Japan player who claimed Brazil were no longer a powerhouse.

Neymar Sends Message to Economist After World Cup Win

Troy Taormina (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

Now, Neymar has turned his attention to a man who predicted Japan would knock Brazil out of the biggest international competition. After the five-time world champions sealed a place in the last 16, the Santos forward jumped straight on social media.

In a tweet, which has since gone viral, the legendary attacker said: “Mr. Joachim Klement… please try again at the next World Cup.”

But that left many football fans confused. Who is Joachim Klement? Well, it proves Neymar has been paying close attention to what has been said about his country this summer. Klement is a man who claims to have correctly predicted the winners of the last three World Cups.

He’s a German economist who believes he has a ‘100% accurate formula’ after predicting Germany’s triumph in 2014, France winning in Russia four years later, and Lionel Messi’s Argentina lifting the trophy in Qatar.

Ahead of this year’s competition, Klement put his algorithm to work again. In terms of the winner, he concluded that the Netherlands would win their first-ever World Cup.

But, while he did have Brazil down with a 99% chance of progressing from the group stages, Klement’s algorithm had Brazil being knocked out by Japan in the Round of 32. That clearly hasn’t happened, despite looking very possible at one stage, and Neymar made sure to remind the mathematician. See his full group stage and knockout round predictions below.

Klement’s Predictions Scarily Accurate… Mostly

HMB Media/Marco Bader/Sipa USA via Reuters

At the time of writing (June 29), Klement’s predictions for the Round of 16 fixtures look like they could be scarily accurate. Croatia vs Spain, Germany vs France and Netherlands vs Canada are games that could take place in reality, depending on results in the Round of 32.

Spain vs Belgium and Netherlands vs France could also be quarter-final fixtures he’s got spot on. Japan vs England can’t happen, but Neymar’s Brazil could meet Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions.

Klement predicted Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to meet in the quarter-final, but that now can’t happen until the final. However, most importantly, his prediction of the Netherlands winning it all could still come to fruition.

Tottenham appear to be facing some potential difficulty in landing a deal for Sandro Tonali this summer, as Marca reports that a rival is preparing a bid for the midfielder.

Spurs have been pushing to land the Italian international this summer as part of a major midfield overhaul, with the expectation of two possible arrivals in the central ranks in the coming weeks.

Talks are ongoing to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, with intense competition from Manchester United for his signature along with a host of other clubs such as PSG and Real Madrid.

However, it’s Tonali that Tottenham have accelerated their interest in. Spurs have already agreed personal terms on a huge £275,000-a-week contract, per reports, and are looking to close an agreement with Newcastle to land him.

The Magpies are believed to be holding out for £100 million to facilitate an exit, a fee that clubs are looking to dwindle down to a slightly more affordable price.

But now, Spurs face the possibility of a hijack with a first offer being prepared by their rivals.

Man City Ready Sandro Tonali Offer

via Reuters

While Tottenham have been in hot pursuit of Tonali, there has been interest from rivals Arsenal and Manchester City for the midfielder as well this summer.

However, with the former backing out and the latter landing Elliot Anderson for £116 million, it seemed as though the path had cleared for Spurs to seal a deal with relative comfort.

Now, however, Marca reports that Man City are lining up a huge bid to try and tempt Newcastle to part ways with their midfield maestro in the coming weeks.

It’s claimed that a bid in the region of €110m (£95m) is being prepared by the club, who are keen to add Tonali next to Anderson as part of a new-look midfield pairing.

It comes as a huge potential blow to Tottenham, and as a possible hijack for the North London side, who may need to change their approach in negotiations with Newcastle in the transfer market.

The amount prepared by Man City is not set to meet the valuation set by the Magpies, which may see them reject a sale, but would only further reinforce how much Spurs may need to pay to land him.

Tottenham’s Challenging Market

via Reuters

Tottenham have done well in the market so far, landing four signings who will help bring some strength in depth across the whole of the squad.

The challenge was always going to come when other teams get involved for signings, especially if they hold the advantage in a potential battle.

Man City could offer more than Spurs, if they wish to, while there is also a certain guarantee of trophy opportunities and a chance to impress in the Champions League.

That is tough for Tottenham to compete with, and underlines how difficult the market could be for the club moving forward into areas, such as the midfield and forward lines.

It remains to be seen whether they can convince Tonali that N17 is the best place for him, but it will be a monumental task if Man City do push ahead with a bid.