The Arsenal star's missed spot-kick proved fatal as Germany crashed out of the World Cup to Paraguay, ending their free-scoring run in a stunning penalty shootout defeat.
Kai Havertz has become the first of the Arsenal players to be knocked out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a shock defeat on penalties to Paraguay in which the Arsenal man missed his spot kick.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side had topped their group on the new head-to-head rule having beaten Curacao and Ivory Coast to claim top spot despite losing to Hincapie’s Ecuador.
Havertz penalty is saved in the shootout as Germany lose 3-4 on penalties vs Paraguay (REUTERS)Germany had been one of the tournament’s most free flowing scoring nations, registering 10 goals in the group stages, largely thanks to a 7-1 thrashing of Curacao in their opening fixture. This was then followed by a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast before falling to defeat in their last group stage fixture.
This then set up a tie with Paraguay. A fixture that on paper, they would have thought to be a relatively simple task. La Albirroja started the tournament with a poor 1-4 defeat to co hosts USA before finding their feat with a 1-0 victory over Turkey. They then finished their group stage with a 0-0 draw with Australia which saw them qualify as one of the best 3rd placed sides.
In the game, Germany had had most of the ball, dictating the game without really threatening Gill in the Paraguay net. Paraguay’s game plan was clear. Stay defensively solid, soak up any German threat and hit them on the break. This plan required Gustavo Alfaro’s men to be defensively solid at one end, but clinical at the other. Something they managed just before half-time when they went ahead against the run of play through a well taken header from Enciso.
Into the second half and Germany were once again on the front foot. They eventually managed to find their equaliser through Arsenal man Kai Havertz, scoring his third goal of the tournament. The Arsenal man flicked a header into the far corner after a good cross from Florian Wirtz. Die Mannschaft continued to push for the remainder of the 90 minutes and into extra time, and even had an extra time winner ruled out by VAR, but were unable to find another goal, pushing the tie onto penalties.
Havertz stepped up first and missed his spot kick. The shootout ebbed and flowed with both Neuer and Gill coming up with big saves at crucial moments. Centre back Canale rifled home past Neuer with the decisive penalty as Paraguay came out 3-4 winners in the shootout!
Havertz’ attention will now turn back to Arsenal who will resume training in early July although it is thought that the German man will have an extended period of rest following his participation in the World Cup. Arsenal face Spanish side Girona on August 1st in their first pre-season friendly, something that Havertz is now likely to participate in.
For Paraguay, they will await their RO16 opponents who could be one of either William Saliba and France or Viktor Gyokeres and Sweden. Those two battle it out tonight, June 30th 2026 at 10:00pm for UK viewers. Before that, Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard faces off against former Arsenal player Nicolas Pepe and The Ivory Coast for a spot in the RO16 at 6:00pm tonight. The winner of that tie will set up a match with Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli who scored a dramatic last minute winner for Ancelotti’s Brazil to complete a 2-1 comeback win vs Japan.
14 Arsenal players remain in the World Cup, but the question remains. Will one end up lifting the biggest prize in world football?
