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Germany out of World Cup after loss on penalties to Paraguay

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Another World Cup, another moment of unwanted history for Germany. Even though this Germany team got out of the group unlike in Qatar and Russia, the disappointment of this exit in the USA, Canada and Mexico sits just as deep. For the first time in their history, Germany lost a World Cup game on penalties. For the second time in a week, Germany played the game their opponents wanted rather than taking control themselves. And, for the third straight World Cup, Germany failed to meet expectations.

“Only thing I can say is I’m sorry. To disappoint again is not a nice feeling,” Kai Havertz, who missed one of Germany’s penalties, told public broadcaster ZDF afterwards. “We tried to [attack via] the flanks, but unfortunately it didn’t really work out. And I don’t think we deserved to win this time.”

“Even though the elimination hurts: What a game,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote on social media. “With your dedication and team spirit at this World Cup, you’ve inspired our country. We’re proud of you.”

From its diversity to its team spirit, there are indeed many inspirational sources in this current Germany team. Sadly, when they needed an inspirational performance, they couldn’t find one.

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Julian Nagelsmann looks disappointed after the loss
Questions will now be asked of Julian Nagelsmann’s future as head coach of GermanyImage: Peter Cziborra/REUTERS

Ecuador loss a factor

Beforehand, Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann said his team needed to adapt a “scumbag mentality” in order to progress. There was little of that tenacity on offer from Germany. This was a side that looked tentative for too long and indecisive when it mattered. Despite coming back from a goal down in normal time, and denying Paraguay the winning penalty twice, Germany were unable to win. It turns out a lot more was lost in New York New Jersey than just the game against Ecuador.

The momentum that Germany lost with that defeat hung over their heads in Boston just four days later. Despite Deniz Undav starting, Julian Nagelsmann’s side looked ponderous. Over half an hour in, Germany had completed seven times as many passes as their opponents. Paraguay were asking, perhaps even daring Germany to break them down. Germany couldn’t find a way.

Paraguay did, with their first real foray forward. A recycled corner led to an unmarked Julio Enciso, just 168 centimeters (5 feet, 5 inches) tall, heading home from near the penalty spot. It was a poor look for Germany’s defense, but also an indictment on the harmlessness of Germany’s attack.

Germany were huffing and puffing, again, but not really finding the answers. For the third straight game in this tournament, Germany needed something to spark them into life. This time, it was the tactical change to cross the ball more that brought the equalizer. Kai Havertz’s glancing header was enough to claw Germany back. Initially, it felt like the moment the game would change and Germany would earn a gritty, ugly 2-1 win.

However, like Germany at World Cups of late, the equalizer proved to be a false dawn. So too was Jonathan Tah’s disallowed goal in extra time. The defender’s header was ruled out for a foul in the build-up in a decision Nagelsmann called “scandalous.” He also admitted though, that Germany should have decided the game beforehand.

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Manuel Neuer saves a penalty
Manuel Neuer looked to have turned the tide for Germany, but his team couldn’t take advantageImage: Paul Rutherford/IMAGN Images/REUTERS

They didn’t. And so, when Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade missed in the shootout, Germany’s tournament looked like it was done. The door opened for one final twist though, when Antonio Sanabria fired wide, Paraguay’s victory in his hands. When Neuer denied Fabian Balbuena with a strong save, Germany looked like they really might have leapt from the jaws of defeat. But Tah, playing in his first World Cup, blazed the first penalty in sudden death over, and Jose Canale sealed Paraguay’s win at the third time of asking. Fittingly for this team of false dawns and slow starts, their defeat came by a thousand cuts rather than one swift blow.

The fallout

Losing 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the end of extra-time — how did Germany let it come to this? Much will be asked after an exit like this. For Neuer, his return offered little more than a few records. Germany captain Joshua Kimmich’s international career is now littered with disappointments. At 31 years old, it is fair to wonder whether he will even be at Euro 2028. Antonio Rüdiger (33), Leon Goretzka (31) and Leroy Sane (30) are likely not coming back. Significant change lies ahead.

More importantly, what of Julian Nagelsmann? His contract, after a surprising extension in early 2025, runs until 2028.

“I’m here to work and if the DFB decides otherwise then they should tell me,” Nagelsmann said afterwards. “I’m not the type of person who runs away.”

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This Germany team though, are running right out of this World Cup as the country confirms its place outside of football’s elite. Another introspective analysis of the health of the beautiful game in Germany will follow. Fingers will be pointed. Questions will be asked. And so begins another long road to trying to restore this football nation to the top table.

Edited by: Wesley Dockery

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Silver for Fiona Murtagh in Women’s Single Sculls A Final at Lucerne

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Fiona Murtagh claimed a silver medal in the Women’s Single Sculls A Final at the World Rowing Cup in Lucerne on Sunday.

The reigning World Champion produced an authoritative performance as she lead the field through the halfway mark.

She soon became locked in a battle with Briton Lauren Henry.

The Irish rower fought all the way to the finish, showing remarkable composure under pressure to secure the silver medal as Henry claimed the gold medal.

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The fast-finishing Tara Rigney took bronze for Australia.

The Irish teams ends the weekend at Lucerne with silver for Murtagh as well as a bronze from Saturday’s action for Izzy Clements, with representatives having reached three A Finals and placed every crew into finals racing.

The post Silver for Fiona Murtagh in Women’s Single Sculls A Final at Lucerne appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

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Detroit Lions release first-round pick Terrion Arnold after arrest

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The Detroit Lions announced they have released cornerback Terrion Arnold, their 2024 first-round pick, following an arrest last week where he was charged with armed robbery and kidnapping.

This comes after Arnold had his bond set at $1 million on Monday by Hillsborough County Judge Christopher Sabella.

Sabella also added conditions for Arnold, which included no contact with the six co-defendants in the case as well as the witnesses. He also must surrender his passport within 48 hours, and remain confined to his home in Tallahassee, Florida, except when he would be playing, training or traveling with the Lions or making court-related appearances.

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Terrion Arnold running onto the field at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.

Terrion Arnold of the Detroit Lions runs onto the field before an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Nov. 27, 2025. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

The state also asked Judge Sabella for Arnold to be required to wear a GPS tracking device, but Arnold’s attorneys said he wouldn’t be able to play football with it on.

Prosecutors were pushing for Arnold to be held without bond but, though the charges are serious ones in Sabella’s eyes, he didn’t believe the case was strong enough to hold him in that fashion.

The 23-year-old Arnold was arrested in connection with an alleged kidnapping and robbery that investigators say occurred in February, the Tampa Police Department announced on June 25. Arnold turned himself in and was taken into custody at Orient Road Jail in Hillsborough County on Wednesday night.

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TERRION ARNOLD, LIONS’ 2024 FIRST-ROUND PICK, CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING AND ARMED ROBBERY IN FLORIDA

Arnold is charged with four counts of kidnapping and four counts of armed robbery.

Spokespersons for the Lions and the NFL told Fox News Digital they were aware of the situation, but wouldn’t comment any further. Now, the Lions have made their move one month before training camp kicks off across the league.

According to investigators, Arnold rented an Airbnb in Largo, Florida, where he periodically stayed with several co-defendants: Arianna Del Valle, 19; Jasmine Randazzo, 19; Lyndell Hudson II, 26; Christion Williams, 24; Boakai Hilton Jr., 23; and Freddie Hughes, 27. Authorities said other individuals also stayed at the property.

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Investigators said three male victims, all in their late teens, suffered visible injuries after they were allegedly battered, held at gunpoint and pistol-whipped before being robbed and ordered to leave a residence in the 14000 block of North 46th Street in Tampa.

Terrion Arnold of the Detroit Lions looking on during an NFL game at Lambeau Field.

Terrion Arnold of the Detroit Lions looks on during the second half of an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sept. 7, 2025. (Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

According to investigators, multiple personal items belonging to Arnold and others were stolen from the Airbnb on Feb. 1. Authorities said Arnold suspected two of the three victims were responsible, though Tampa police later determined they were not involved in the theft.

On Feb. 3, Arnold, Hilton, Hughes and another individual reported more than $250,000 in stolen property to the Largo Police Department.

Investigators allege that later that day Arnold and Hilton coordinated with Del Valle and Randazzo to contact one of the victims and lure him to an apartment.

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Police said the three victims arrived at the apartment on Feb. 4 to meet the women, where Williams and Hudson were allegedly hiding inside a bedroom closet. According to investigators, Williams and Hudson grabbed the victims, held them at gunpoint and assaulted them.

Authorities said Del Valle streamed the incident to Arnold, Hilton and Hughes as they traveled to the apartment. Investigators also said they recovered a group chat involving the defendants in which Arnold and Hilton allegedly gave directions to Del Valle, Williams and Hudson during the assault.

According to investigators, Arnold, Hilton, Hughes and another individual arrived at the apartment around 1 a.m. Police allege Arnold directed the group inside, and that Hughes, Hudson and Williams stole the victims’ personal property while the assault was ongoing.

Authorities said the victims were escorted from the apartment about 40 minutes later, forced into their vehicle and left the scene. They later reported the incident to Tampa police and identified the suspects.

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Terrion Arnold of the Detroit Lions lines up on the field at Ford Field.

Terrion Arnold of the Detroit Lions lines up before a play during an NFL game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich., on Nov. 27, 2025. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

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Investigators said they believe Arnold was the primary organizer of the alleged scheme based on evidence gathered during the investigation. However, Harvey Steinberg, one of Arnold’s attorneys, argued in court that the prosecutors were “not even close” to showing he knew or directed his associates in this incident.

Arnold was expected to be a starting corner for the Lions this season, making his release a big one for the depth chart. He recorded his first career interception this past season in Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings, though he was only able to play eight games because of a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery.

Arnold played 16 games during his rookie season in 2024, tallying 10 passes defended and 60 combined tackles.

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Former Japan FIFA World Cup hero Keisuke Honda reacts with message after Blue Samurai crash out of 2026 tournament

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Ex-Japan hero Keisuke Honda has sent a message after his nation bowed out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Samurai Blue lost 2-1 to Brazil in the Round of 32 of the tournament (Monday, June 29).

Honda, who represented his nation at three FIFA World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018), bagged four goals and three assists in 10 appearances in the competition. He is the only player from his country to have scored in three different editions of the tournament.

Ahead of the World Cup, the four-time AFC Asian Cup winners were dealt multiple blows with injuries sidelining key players. Forwards Takumi Minamino and Kaoru Mitoma were ruled out of the tournament with ACL and hamstring injuries respectively. Shockingly, erstwhile captain Wataru Endo also announced his international retirement on the eve of the tournament due to a recurring foot injury.

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Despite the notable misses, Japan qualified for the Round of 32 after a win against Tunisia and draws against Netherlands and Sweden. In the knockout fixture against Brazil, Kaishu Sano’s long-range strike (29′) was cancelled out by Casemiro’s header (56′). Extra time was looming on the horizon; however, a late defensive error from Ao Tanaka allowed Gabriel Martinelli to capitalize and score the winner (90+6′).

After the heart-breaking defeat, Honda took to social media to send an appreciative message to the fans. On X, the 40-year-old wrote (translated from Japanese):

“Thank you for cheering on the Japan national team.”

The result means that the Asian nation are still yet to win a knockout phase encounter at the FIFA World Cup. Their best results still remain their Round of 16 appearances in the 2002, 2010, 2018 and 2022 editions.

“The gap between us is closing” – Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu makes claim after 2-1 defeat to Brazil in Round of 32 at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Japan boss Hajime Moriyasu has claimed that the gap between his side and historically dominant sides like Brazil are closing down.

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Moriyasu’s team held their own against the five-time FIFA World Cup champions (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002). They broke the Brazilian defense down while attacking and held firm while defending until the late mistake that ended their campaign.

Speaking after the game, the 57-year-old tactician said (via ESPN):

“We were not able to achieve our goal this time but then we can aim for the next World Cup or maybe even one after that. We should work toward that goal, which is what we’ve been doing… I don’t think history would be gentle to us. But if we are to overcome today maybe we will see a time where history will change. The gap between us is closing now. Brazil is a top-tier team and we’re definitely approaching that level.”

In the Round of 16, Brazil will face the winner of the Round of 32 encounter between Cote d’Ivoire and Norway (June 30).