Germany, Paraguay square off with a Round of 16 berth on the line
The knockout stage leaves no room for second chances.
Germany opens its bid for a fifth FIFA World Cup title Monday afternoon when it faces Paraguay in the Round of 32 at Gillette Stadium. The winner advances to the Round of 16. The loser heads home.
Match Information
- Match: Germany vs. Paraguay
- Date: Monday, June 29
- Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
- TV (U.S.): FOX (English), Telemundo (Spanish)
- Streaming: FOX One, FOX Sports App, Peacock (Spanish), Fubo, Sling TV and DirecTV Stream
- Radio: SiriusXM FC and FIFA World Cup radio partners.
Germany enters the knockout stage after winning Group E with six points, defeating Curaçao and Côte d’Ivoire before falling 2-1 to Ecuador in a match that had little impact on its qualification. Paraguay advanced as one of the tournament’s best third-place teams after finishing third in Group D with four points, earning a victory over Türkiye and a draw against Australia.
By the numbers
| Category | Germany | Paraguay |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Ranking | No. 10 | No. 43 |
| Group Stage Finish | 1st (Group E) | 3rd (Group D) |
| Group Stage Points | 6 | 4 |
| Group Stage Record | 2-0-1 | 1-1-1 |
| World Cup Titles | 4 | 0 |
| Best World Cup Finish | Champions (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014) | Quarterfinals (2010) |
Players to watch
Germany’s attack revolves around one of the world’s brightest young cores. Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz provide creativity in the final third, while Kai Havertz remains Germany’s focal point in front of goal. Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer brings invaluable knockout-stage experience, though Germany’s back line has shown vulnerability throughout the group stage.
Paraguay will lean on its disciplined defensive structure under manager Gustavo Alfaro. The South Americans have embraced the underdog role throughout qualifying and the group stage, relying on organization, physicality and timely counterattacks to frustrate opponents.
What’s at stake?
Germany remains one of international soccer’s traditional heavyweights, but the group stage raised as many questions as it answered. After cruising through its first two matches, a disappointing loss to Ecuador exposed defensive issues that must be corrected if the Germans hope to make a deep run.
Paraguay has nothing to lose.
The South Americans have already exceeded many expectations by reaching the knockout stage and now have an opportunity to author one of the tournament’s biggest upsets. Germany enters as the favorite, but World Cup history has repeatedly shown that reputation means little once the knockout rounds begin.
Win, and the path toward a championship continues. Lose, and four years of preparation end in 90 minutes—or perhaps even longer. That’s the pressure, and the beauty, of World Cup knockout soccer.
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