Paraguay in the round of 16 as Schlotterbeck fears tournament over

Paraguay on Monday, and this is sudden death

Germany face Paraguay in the World Cup round of 16 on Monday, June 29 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5). One match. No safety net. Your team topped the group after that wild 2–1 win over Ivory Coast, but the Ecuador defeat stung and Paraguay smelled blood immediately (5).

Schlotterbeck feared out of the tournament

Nico Schlotterbeck twisted his ankle late against Ivory Coast, and the early word is grim. An MRI will confirm, but the fear is a torn ligament that would end his World Cup right here. Losing him now, just as the knockout rounds begin, is a gut punch.

Undav cannot stay on the bench

Deniz Undav has three goals and two assists across the first two group games, every single one off the bench. That equals a World Cup record for goal involvements by a substitute. Nagelsmann has a call to make, and it is not a hard one: Undav has earned a start.

Rettig: "We have the knife at our throat"

DFB chief Andreas Rettig did not sugarcoat it. "The defeat was an unfamiliar feeling for us after eleven wins in a row," he said ahead of Monday (2). His exact phrase: "We have the knife at our throat."

Völler is calm, but demands more from the attack

Sporting director Rudi Völler kept his tone relaxed: "I am completely calm and relaxed. On Monday the team will throw everything at it" (4). The pointed part came next, Musiala, Wirtz, and Havertz were named directly. "These players have to deliver," Völler said (4).

Friedrich calls Paraguay third-rate

MagentaTV commentator Jonas Friedrich did not hold back. "That is not an opponent, with all due respect: that is a third-rate team. That cannot be a serious challenge for the German national team in the round of 16" (3). The clip is making the rounds and Paraguay will have seen it.

Paraguay believe

Paraguay watched Ecuador beat Germany and took notes. The tone from their camp is that Germany are there for the taking (5). Monday will not be a formality.

Faé still furious about the Ivory Coast ending

Ivory Coast coach Emerse Faé accused Germany of lacking fair play after the stoppage-time winner, furious that play continued while an Ivorian player was down. The tension on the touchline was real, and the bad blood has not fully cleared.

Germany U-19 begin Euros against the hosts

Germany's U-19 women kick off their European Championship campaign against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the tournament hosts (6). A first title since 2011 is the target.

Fan reactions

The mood among Germany fans is tense, with one Reddit thread asking whether a "Disgrace of Gijón" scenario could repeat itself, referencing the infamous 1982 match where West Germany and Austria settled for a mutually convenient result. The Paraguay draw has not calmed nerves. Meanwhile, a broader discussion is swirling about which team can actually beat France, with many seeing them as the clear standout. Read the full discussion