The penalty shootout disaster in Foxborough raises questions: Jonathan Tah, who had never taken a competitive penalty in his entire professional career, was forced to step up as the last shooter. The FC Bayern defender blasted the ball well over the goal, sending Paraguay into the quarterfinals. ZDF expert Christoph Kramer defended Tah: “No blame at all for someone who steps up and misses. To take a penalty in that situation takes real courage.”
Captain Joshua Kimmich had looked for volunteers at the center circle. Leon Goretzka reacted hesitantly, shaking his head, prompting Kimmich to assign him as the ninth taker. Tah himself said after the match: “I felt good. I wasn’t extremely nervous, but I didn’t strike the ball well. I would take another penalty next time.”
ZDF expert Fritzy Kromp sharply criticized head coach Julian Nagelsmann: Nick Woltemade, who was making his tournament debut, also missed. “I think they basically killed him. Today you need him, and then he can’t deliver – that leaves me speechless.”
Source: Stadt München
