Germany's shock capitulation to Paraguay in the last 32 on Monday, their first ever World Cup penalty shootout defeat, continues the four-time champions sheer drop from the game's elite. Germany have now been eliminated early in the past three World Cups. Since beating Argentina 1-0 to win the World Cup in 2014, Germany have not only been unable to win an elimination match at the tournament, but they have also failed to keep a clean sheet.Calls to sack coach Julian Nagelsmann have grown, particularly with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp seemingly waiting in the wings. Others, including Klopp himself, have demanded far more fundamental changes to the game in Germany. - 'Drifting away from the elite' - Even with diminished expectations after a lean decade, the German press slammed Nagelsmann's side after they fell to 41st-ranked Paraguay, a team who lost 4-1 to hosts USA in their tournament opener.
Germany forward Kai Havertz missed a penalty as his side were dumped out of the World Cup © FRANCK FIFE / AFP
Respected Munich daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung called the result "a new humiliation", adding the Germans were "heading home with a thoroughly deserved return ticket".German football magazine Kicker lamented a "damning indictment and proof that Germany is drifting further and further away from the world's elite".Once boasting club-made talents the envy of Europe, Germany's ability to produce quality players has fallen behind European rivals France, Spain and England over the past decade. Despite being Europe's most populous nation, where football is by far the dominant sport, Germany lack depth.
