Germany exit on penalties as Klopp deal takes shape

Germany out on penalties to Paraguay

Done. Germany 1–1 Paraguay, then knocked out in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup on penalties (1) (2). Nagelsmann's final match. Kimmich, Musiala, Sane, Neuer, all on the pitch, none could drag your team through. A third-place group finish against Japan and Costa Rica already felt shaky. This confirms it.

Klopp deal: key terms agreed

The DFB and Jürgen Klopp have settled the basic points of a contract (1) (2). The deal is not yet signed, but Klopp reportedly flew to Germany in secret to advance talks. His first match could be a Nations League clash with the Netherlands.

Lahm: 'We are not Spain'

Philipp Lahm did not hold back after the Paraguay exit. "We are not the Spanish, not the French, not the Argentinians," the 2014 World Cup-winning captain said (1). His message: Germany needs to stop chasing other nations' identities and rediscover its own.

Hürzeler: Germany has every advantage Spain does

Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler pushed back on the idea that Germany lack resources. "Nobody can tell me Germany has fewer possibilities than Spain," he said (3). The pipeline is there. The direction is not.

England take third place in 12-goal thriller

England 6–4 France in the third-place playoff Saturday (4). Bukayo Saka and Kylian Mbappé both starred. Didier Deschamps sounded ready to walk: "In my head I know exactly that tomorrow the final curtain falls" (4). Same tournament. Different reality for Germany fans watching from home.

Fan-reaktioner

Reddit has already moved past the Germany exit and into the patterns of history. One thread tracks how every third-place team since 1994, barring 2014, was knocked out by the eventual champion. Germany fans, at least, are spared seeing Paraguay lift the trophy. Read the full thread here.