Germany face Paraguay with the knockout stage on the line

Paraguay tonight, knockout football is here

The group stage is done. Germany face Paraguay in the Round of 32 tonight, 22:30 kickoff (5) (9). Nagelsmann and Havertz spoke to the media on Sunday ahead of the match, no more second chances. You win or you go home.

Havertz: the Wirtz-Musiala ignition switch

Kai Havertz says the knockout round is where he, Florian Wirtz, and Jamal Musiala finally click. He called the Paraguay match the real "starting signal" for the trio's tournament (3). The three have yet to fire together the way everyone expected. Tonight is the moment.

Schlotterbeck fear: ankle ligament, World Cup over

Nico Schlotterbeck is feared to have torn an ankle ligament in the 2–1 win over Ivory Coast (7). An MRI will confirm the diagnosis. If the tear is confirmed, his tournament is finished. That leaves Nagelsmann without one of his core defenders for the knockout run.

Undav: three goals, two assists, all from the bench

Deniz Undav has been Germany's most dangerous attacker and he has not started a single game. Three goals and two assists across the first two group matches, all off the bench (7). That equals a World Cup record for goal involvements by a substitute. Nagelsmann now has to decide: reward him with a start, or keep the weapon in reserve.

Kroos and Podolski are not holding back

Toni Kroos and Lukas Podolski warned of elimination after the 1–2 loss to Ecuador in the group finale (6). Kroos made a grim prediction about Germany's chances if the level does not rise. The message: 60 to 70 percent improvement needed, according to MagentaTV experts including Tabea Kemme and Jürgen Klopp (11).

Brown: seven caps, already indispensable

Nathaniel Brown has become a key figure for Germany in record time. Only seven caps, but the left-sided defender is already a fixture in the knockout plans (4). His rise is one of the few unqualified positives from the group stage.

The path to the final is brutal

Argentina got the kinder bracket. Germany's side of the draw is stacked (2). If you get past Paraguay tonight, the potential route includes some of the tournament's heavyweights. t-online mapped out the full path to the final (8). One game at a time, but the road is unforgiving.

Paraguay coach: nobody celebrated us

Gustavo Alfaro fired a shot before the match. "Paraguay is the only place where nobody celebrated," the Paraguay coach said, complaining about a lack of appreciation for his team reaching the knockout stage (10). A motivated opponent with a chip on its shoulder.

Fan reactions

The mood among Germany fans is tense ahead of tonight. The group-stage performances, especially the Ecuador loss, have shaken confidence. Meanwhile, the U19s provided a lift with a wild 4–3 win over Denmark, and fans are buzzing about the youth talent coming through. Match thread here.