Germany Won Every World Cup Shootout Since 1982. Paraguay Just Ended That

Germany had played four World Cup penalty shootouts and won all four — 17 of 18 penalties scored. Then came Paraguay. At the 2026 World Cup, the four-time champions lost a World Cup shootout for the first time in their history, and crashed out in the round of 32 to the world's 41st-ranked team. This is the full 12-year collapse, told by the numbers: the 7-1 in Brazil and a fourth straight semi-final in 2014, last place in the group in 2018 (their first group-stage exit since 1938), out on goal difference in Qatar 2022, the first sacked Germany coach in history, the first-ever away defeat in World Cup qualifying — and the night in Boston where the safest bet in sport finally failed. 0:00 Sudden death in Boston 0:54 2014 — the peak: 7-1 and a fourth star 2:01 2018 — last in the group (first exit since 1938) 3:13 2022 — out on goal difference 4:33 2021-2025 — the quiet slide (Wembley, Merino 119', Slovakia) 6:04 2026 — the false dawn 7:04 The shootout, beat by beat 8:36 The numbers: 17/18 → 3 missed in 6 9:59 Rock bottom, or deeper? Is this rock bottom before another famous German rebuild — or does the fall go deeper? Drop your verdict in the comments. Subscribe for more World Cup history told straight: no hype, just the numbers. #WorldCup #Germany #football #soccer #worldcup2026 #Paraguay #penaltyshootout #GermanFootball #worldcuphistory #DFB