Canale and Gill the heroes as Paraguay hand Germany first World Cup shootout defeat

Canale and Gill the heroes as Paraguay hand Germany first World Cup shootout defeat

Germany exited the World Cup in Boston not with a whimper or even a cry of pain, just an extended wrestle into the dust at the hands of a thrillingly dogged Paraguay, followed by the most extraordinary of penalty shootouts. Not only did Germany lose their first shootout since the original Panenka one of 1976. They did so in a whirl of errors, shanked kicks and what amounted to a sporting meltdown in the New England gloaming. Paraguay will now progress to play a last-16 tie in Philadelphia, but not before celebrating this result as surely the greatest in their football history. And rightly so, after a performance of wonderful heart and defensive discipline. Continue reading...