Germany and Netherlands crash out of the World Cup

Germany crashed out of the World Cup at the hands of Paraguay in the last 32 after losing 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Foxborough on Monday.

They were followed out by The Netherlands, who were eliminated by Morocco.

It marks the first time that Germany have ever lost a penalty shootout at a World Cup.

Julio Enciso headed Paraguay into a shock lead before half-time, but Kai Havertz levelled for Germany on 54 minutes with his third goal of the tournament.

Jonathan Tah saw a goal disallowed after a VAR review in extra time, before Paraguay held on to shock Germany in a wild, nerve-jangling shootout as the momentum swung back and forth.

Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill saved from Havertz and Nick Woltemade, but his teammates blew two chances to win it before Jose Canale blasted in the winning spot-kick after Tah had blazed his effort over the bar.

It marked another premature exit for Germany who were playing in their first knockout-stage appearance since winning the 2014 World Cup.

Paraguay celebrated arguably their greatest win at the tournament, but they face the daunting prospect of running into an in-form France next should Les Bleus beat Sweden.

Gill described the victory as "an immense thrill".

"We managed to hold on. We opened the scoring, they equalized, but then we managed to keep it up. Obviously, we analyzed every player and every detail of the penalty takers," he said.

"Thank God I was able to save two penalties. This is a privilege; we eliminated a champion. This is dedicated to all Paraguayans."

Germany coach wants to stay on

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said he wanted to stay in his job despite the defeat.

Nagelsmann has a contract up to the 2028 European Championships but Germany's premature exit from the World Cup will put the 38-year-old under intense scrutiny.

"I'm not someone who runs away," he told German broadcaster ZDF.

"I want to continue, but in football you don't always have it in your own hands.

"If the DFB (federation) wants me to, then I will prepare for the European Championship and the Nations League."

Paraguay's goalkeeper Orlando Gill saves the penalty kick by Germany's forward Kai Havertz during the penalty shootout. Photo: AFP

Morocco down Netherlands to reach World Cup last 16

Morocco defeated the Netherlands in a penalty shoot-out to advance to the last 16 of the World Cup on Monday after a thrilling battle in Monterrey finished 1-1 after extra-time.

Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made the crucial save to block the Netherlands' fourth penalty from Crysencio Summerville before striker Ismael Saibari stepped up to blast home the winning spot-kick that sealed a 3-2 shootout win.

The victory sends Morocco into a last 16 clash with Canada in Houston on Saturday.

Netherlands' goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen reacts after losing in the shootout.

An enthralling match had gone to extra time after Issa Diop had glanced in a dramatic equaliser for Morocco in the first minute of stoppage time as the Netherlands closed in on victory.

The Dutch had taken the lead midway through the second half with a goal from Cody Gakpo, playing just days after his partner had confirmed the death of the couple's unborn son.

Liverpool forward Gakpo sank to the turf and appeared overcome with emotion as he was surrounded by team-mates in a prolonged group embrace.

But Morocco forced extra time when an unmarked Diop headed home from substitute Chemsdine Talbi's cross in injury time.

Morocco had created the better chances of a fractious encounter, which saw players from both sides flying into tackles to test the patience of Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio.