Can Germany win the World Cup after getting out of the groups for the first time since 2014? The perennial challengers showed enough in spells during the group stage to suggest they can be a threat but certainly appear to have weaknesses in their side.
First up on the knockout path is a last-32 tie against Paraguay in Boston.
The south American side beat Turkey to seal a third-placed finish and progress for the first time since reaching the quarter finals back in 2010.
Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany side looked like genuine tournament heavyweights during their first two matches, obliterating Curaçao 7-1 and edging past the Ivory Coast 2-1.
However, the loss to Ecuador served as a stark reminder of their defensive vulnerabilities. The Germans will heavily rely on the creative spark of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz to break down a low block.
Paraguay bounced back from an opening 4-1 defeat against the United States by putting on a defensive masterclass, defeating Turkey 1-0 and frustrating Australia to a 0-0 draw. They will heavily rely on their signature “South American grit” and organization to stay alive.
Nagelsmann was understandably unhappy at the delay in finding out who their opponents would be in the new system.
He said: “I think you’re a bit punished as a group winner.
“We divided up the potential opponents. I watched three or four matches, and the analysis team did as well. Everyone can imagine there are better ways to spend Saturday night than working through it.
“It will be an all-nighter; we want to have large parts of it prepared so we don’t have to create the match plan in a huge rush on Sunday. We’ll manage it, we’re almost all still young in the coaching staff, so we can work through the night if necessary.”
Team news for Germany v Paraguay
Germany lost defender Nico Schlotterbeck to a serious ankle injury which ended his tournament but hope that full-back Nathaniel Brown will be fit to return from injury.
Paragut midfielder Diego Gomez is suspended but former Newcastle man Miguel Almiron is back from a ban of his own.
