Germany vs Paraguay live updates: Latest score from today’s 2026 World Cup knockout clash

As referenced, the big conversation in Germany since the Ecuador defeat concerned Joshua Kimmich. Or, at least, that was the loudest of the many conversations that were occurring simultaneously.

There are two issues. The first is that the double-six pivot of Aleksandar Pavlovic and Felix Nmecha is not really working as hoped. The second, is that while Kimmich obviously brings plenty of quality to his right-back role, his lack of pace is increasingly an issue. It was against Ivory Coast. It was again against the Ecuadorians. Given that Germany’s path through this tournament likely runs through France, who have more world-class wingers than they really know what to do with, the problem is not going away.

So, what was Nagelsmann to do? Almost everyone — media, ex-players, fans — was arguing for Kimmich to be used in midfield, in the orchestrating role he plays for Bayern Munich. Fine, but Nagelsmann declined to take a replacement right-back to this tournament, leaving Ridle Baku and Josha Vagnoman at home, meaning that he would probably have to move Nathaniel Brown to the right and bring David Raum into the side to accommodate such a change. Either that, or he would need to play a centre-back in place of Kimmich and lose his passing ability from that area of the pitch.

For today, Nagelsmann has opted to leave Kimmich at full-back. What’s clear, though, is that Germany need to improve — first to beat Paraguay and then, if they manage that, to give themselves any sort of chance of further progress.