Paraguay face Germany with World Cup on the line

Germany awaits, winner takes all

It is knockout football now. Paraguay face Germany on Monday in the World Cup Round of 32, and the equation is simple: win or go home (1) (5). Gustavo Alfaro knows what is coming. "Siempre respondemos en la adversidad", we always respond in adversity, he said ahead of the match (16). Your team reached this stage by beating Türkiye 1–0, a result that knocked them out and kept Paraguay alive (13). Now the stakes are higher.

Alfaro: 'Paraguay is the only place that didn't celebrate'

Alfaro came out swinging before the biggest match of his tenure. He is frustrated. "Paraguay is the only place that didn't celebrate" reaching the knockout rounds, he told reporters (7). He also fired back at former Paraguay goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert, who has been critical from afar: "Instead of being a sniper, I would have liked him to come and help" (14). Alfaro is not backing down.

Nagelsmann keeps his cards close

Germany's camp is tense. Julian Nagelsmann has gone quiet on lineup details, offering only opposition analysis before the match (2). His assessment of the stakes: "If you lose, everything is shit" (1). He hinted at tactical changes that could affect Joshua Kimmich's role, and suggested Leon Goretzka might finally get minutes: "Maybe he'll get a game tomorrow" (6) (10). Kai Havertz, meanwhile, called this his first World Cup knockout match a "launch moment" alongside Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz (3) (9).

Nathaniel Brown, the unknown threat

Germany have a new weapon, and he has only seven caps. Nathaniel Brown has become a key factor for Nagelsmann in record time, and he is expected to feature against your team (4). Paraguay's backline will need to be sharp.