Germany face a stubborn Paraguay in Boston with a World Cup last-16 spot at stake

Germany take on Paraguay at Gillette Stadium near Boston on Monday, with a place in the World Cup last 16 up for grabs. For viewers in India this one is a deep-night watch, kicking off at 2am on Tuesday.

Germany reach the knockouts as winners of Group E, even if they stumbled at the final hurdle. A 7-1 thrashing of Curaçao and a hard-fought 2-1 win over Ivory Coast had already booked top spot before a much-changed side lost 2-1 to Ecuador in a dead rubber. That defeat will not trouble Julian Nagelsmann unduly, but the loss of Nico Schlotterbeck to a tournament-ending injury during the group stage has thinned his options at the back at the wrong time.

Paraguay the awkward outsiders

Paraguay are not here by accident, even if their group campaign was a bumpy one. They were beaten 4-1 by hosts the United States in their opener, then steadied themselves with a 1-0 win over Turkey and a goalless draw against Australia that was just enough to slip through as one of the best third-placed teams.

What they lack in flair they make up for in organisation and stubbornness. Paraguay are at their most comfortable defending deep, soaking up pressure and looking to hit on the break or from set pieces, exactly the kind of opponent who can drag a Germany side still hunting its best form into a scrap.

What to expect

Germany have the players to win this comfortably if they hit their level, and they will see most of the ball. The harder part is finding a way through a Paraguay side that will sit deep and put bodies in front of goal, while staying alert to the runners breaking the other way.

Paraguay’s hopes rest on staying in the contest long enough to make Germany anxious. It may not be a classic, but if the favourites stutter, a team this well-drilled will back itself to nick the single goal that could throw this half of the draw wide open.

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