Alfaro faces Germany: "We beat Argentina and Brazil too"

Alfaro: no fear of Germany

"We beat Argentina and Brazil too." That was Gustavo Alfaro ahead of Paraguay's World Cup Round of 32 clash against Germany on Monday (2). No deference. No small-team awe. The Paraguay coach made it plain: your team are not here to make up the numbers.

Germany and Havertz: confident but under fire

The Germans are talking like a team with something to prove. Kai Havertz dismissed Gary Lineker's claim that this is one of the worst German sides in years, brushing it off at the pre-match press conference (8). Havertz also backed Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, telling reporters Germany "can turn a game in any second" (7).

All-white Germany, the kit detail

Germany will wear an all-white kit, shirt, shorts, socks, against Paraguay's navy blue, forced by FIFA contrast rules (1) (5). A minor note, but it means Julian Nagelsmann's side will look nothing like the classic black-and-white German outline your team faces Monday.

What is at stake

Paraguay reached this Round of 32 by beating Türkiye 1–0 in the group stage, a result that kept qualification alive. The United States beat your team 2–0 in the group, and now the knockout bracket delivers Germany. Alfaro knows the task, and he is not blinking.