Germany and Netherlands exit World Cup after shootout losses to Paraguay and Morocco

"

Paraguay hand Germany first World Cup shootout defeat Email us | Bracketology | World Cup Daily Greetings all, and welcome to the latest from the World Cup that never sleeps. When the draw was made back on that infamous night last December, it always had a lopsided look. And so it came to pass that Monday saw three potential winners (kind of) turfed out of the competition. Japan’s dark horses ultimately paid the price for sitting a little too deep against an uneven Brazil side nonetheless stacked with match-winners (how they could have done with a Mitoma to take the pressure off). Then Germany were smothered by a ruthless Paraguay defensive masterclass before choking in the first of two inept penalty shootouts. The other came in Monterrey, where Morocco beat the Netherlands who, unlike Paraguay, paid the price for being too defensive. Given Morocco’s world ranking and recent pedigree, this one was no shock. Later on Tuesday, we’ve got another possible tie of the round in Côte d’Ivoire v Norway, the former slick and well organised in the groups, the latter a known attacking force. We’ll be across the buildup to that, as well as France v Sweden and the all-Latin American face-off between Mexico and Ecuador at what – Fifa branding conventions be damned – we will always know as the Azteca Stadium. Continue reading...