AGENCIES

Germany will need to up their game in their World Cup round of 32 against Paraguay or risk going home, with their top players yet to peak at the tournament and expectations back home of a deep run in the competition piling pressure on the team.

The four-time world champions came into the World Cup on a nine-match winning run and demolished Curacao 7-1 in their Group E opener before snatching a stoppage-time win against Ivory Coast to secure top spot and a place in the knockout stage for the first time in 12 years.

They came into the tournament on the back of first-round exits in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and looked set for a 12th straight win before a shock 2-1 loss to Ecuador in their last group match snapped their streak and instantly raised alarm bells among their fans.

It also cast doubts over coach Julian Nagelsmann’s pre-tournament confidence they could go all the way.

Their biggest names in the squad -- Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz -- have so far failed to live up to expectations, delivering largely below-par performances, especially

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