Germany players ‘avoided’ taking penalty in World Cup shootout loss
Jonathan Tah took the first penalty of his professional career after some of his Germany teammates avoided stepping up during their shootout loss to Paraguay, reports say. On Monday night, Julian Nagelsmann’s team lost on penalties to Paraguay, who advanced as one of the best third-placed teams in the group stage.
The shootout became a big topic on social media, especially after captain Joshua Kimmich was seen talking to players like Leon Goretzka and Nathaniel Brown before Tah took his kick. In fact, Kimmich asked Goretzka to take a penalty twice, but the midfielder reportedly refused, according to Metro.
Tah missed the deciding penalty after teammates Kimmich, Kai Havertz, Jamal Musiala, Nick Woltemade, and Nadiem Amiri all took their shots at Boston Stadium. After Germany’s exit in the round of 32, BILD reported there were “internal difficulties” in finding someone to take the sixth penalty.
Tah only stepped up after some teammates hesitated and avoided the challenge when the pressure was on. Leon Goretzka, Nathaniel Brown, Malick Thiaw, Waldemar Anton, and Manuel Neuer did not take penalties that night. It was surprising, especially since Goretzka has a perfect record from the spot, having scored all three penalties he’s taken, according to Transfermarkt.
Since Germany’s early exit, Nagelsmann’s job has come under scrutiny, with many German media outlets criticizing the former Bayern Munich coach. A poll on the Sky Sport Germany website showed 93% of voters want him to leave. Bild called the performance “truly awful,” “slow,” and “boring.” Spiegel described it as “the decline of a once great football nation” and said the World Cup failure “bears the name Nagelsmann.”
Sky Sport Germany pointed out several players who underperformed but once again questioned Nagelsmann’s future. They said, “The end, however bitter, is no surprise. Things cannot go on like this.”