FROM PAGE 2

in the last two matches. Substitute Deniz Undav is Germany’s top scorer with three goals so far.

“To reach the very big goals we know the players, who have developed into world-class players in the past couple of years, have to deliver. That’s clear. The players know there is room for improvement,” Germany team director Rudi Voeller said in a press conference ahead of the match.

“We have to go to the limit.”

Asked when the trio was expected to hit top form, Voeller said it would happen soon.

“You have the feeling that this moment is near. Not much is missing for them to spark.”

Paraguay, who advanced as one of the eight best third-place finishers at the expanded 48-team tournament, will be a hard nut to crack.

After a 4-1 opening loss to co-hosts United States, they stunned Turkey 1-0 before a goalless draw against Australia booked their spot in the knockout stage.

With a defensive resilience that earned them two consecutive clean sheets and a highly physical game, underdogs Paraguay will look to soak up pressure and hit the Germans on the break.

“Recovering from such a hard result (against the USA team) was really hard for us, and in spite of that, our team has been very solid in the past two games,” Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro said.