Germany has reached the World Cup knockout stages for the first time since 2014, and its round of 32 opponent is an underwhelming Paraguay team that struggles for goals.
While Julian Nagelsmann’s team was able to navigate a tricky group by winning it, Germany’s group stage did end on a sour note when it relinquished an early lead to Ecuador, losing 2–1. Momentum thus isn’t on the four-time winner’s side, but it is still expected to bypass the 41st-ranked Paraguay.
