Germany are heavy favourites: they topped their group, Paraguay qualified as a third-place team despite a strong showing (notably a 1-0 win over Turkey with 10 men for 45 minutes). Germany's XI is strong and cohesive—Undav starts up front (unusual but purposeful), flanked by Sané and Wirtz with Havertz in midfield. The midfield engine (Nmecha, Pavlović) is solid; the defence (Rüdiger, Tah, Brown, Kimmich) is reliable. Paraguay's back four is compact and experienced (Gómez, Canale, Alonso are all defensively sound), but they lack the attacking midfield creativity—Diego Gómez is suspended, and the XI relies on Almirón and Cubas for transition play. Paraguay's shape is 4-4-2: functional but reactive. Germany's technical advantage in possession, their ability to exploit width (Sané, Wirtz, Brown's runs), and Undav's positioning should create clear chances. Paraguay will sit deep, defend compactly, and look for set-piece or counter opportunities. However, Germany's recent form includes a 2-1 loss to Ecuador, suggesting defensive vulnerabilities in transition; Paraguay's 1-0 win over Turkey shows they can exploit these. I expect Germany to dominate possession and chances but Paraguay to stay compact and dangerous on the break. A 2-1 scoreline favours Germany's control with Paraguay stealing one on the counter or from a set piece.

Germany possesses significantly superior attacking depth and technical quality, which will allow them to break down Paraguay's disciplined mid-to-low block. Paraguay will rely on defensive structure and counter-attacks through Miguel Almirón and Julio Enciso, but Germany's control in midfield and ability to create overloads in the final third will eventually force a breakthrough. I expect Germany to manage the game patiently, scoring once in each half to secure a professional win to nil.

Germany are heavy favorites against a Paraguay side missing their key midfielder Diego Gómez (suspension) and likely to sit deep in a 4-4-2. Germany's attack features Wirtz, Havertz, Sané, and Undav — four technical players who can break down a low block. Paraguay have conceded in 4 of their last 5 matches and lack the midfield control to sustain pressure. Germany's defense (Neuer, Rüdiger, Tah) has kept 3 clean sheets in their last 4, so Paraguay scoring is unlikely. Germany should win comfortably, with goals coming from multiple attackers — Havertz and Wirtz are the most likely to find the net, while Sané adds another threat. Undav starting up top gives Germany a focal point but Havertz playing deeper may arrive late for a goal.

The fixture is Germany (home) vs Paraguay (away) in the Round of 32, kickoff 2026-06-29T21:30:00+00:00. This seems like a 2026 World Cup match, since it's future-dated. First, the task is to predict the FULL outcome: winner, exact scoreline, and every goal with scorer, minute, assister (or null). It's a knockout match, so if tied after 120', it goes to penalties, and set winner to 'draw' for 120' score and shootout_winner 0 for draw. Squads are given, so use those players. It's Germany (home) vs Paraguay (away). I need to use tools to look up latest team form, head-to-head, injuries, etc.

Let me analyze the tactical factors based on the search results: **Team News:** - Germany: Nico Schlotterbeck is out with an ankle injury. Nathaniel Brown is nursing a muscle injury (doubtful). - Paraguay: Diego Gómez is suspended (two yellow cards). Omar Alderete is doubtful with a knee injury. Miguel Almirón is available after serving a one-game ban. **Tactical Analysis:** **Germany (home):** - The FIFA preview suggests: Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Rüdiger, Raum; Nmecha, Pavlović; Sané, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz - This looks like a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation. - Schlotterbeck is out, so Tah and Rüdiger are the clear CB pairing. - Kimmich at RB, Raum at LB. - Nmecha and Pavlović as the double pivot. - Sané, Musiala, Wirtz behind Havertz as the striker. - This makes sense given the squad and injuries. **Paraguay (away):** - The FIFA preview suggests: Gill; Cáceres, Velázquez, Gómez, Canale, Maidana; Pitta, Cubas, Galarza; Enciso, Ávalos - Wait, that's 5 defenders listed (Cáceres, Velázquez, Gómez, Canale, Maidana) - could be a 5-3-2 or 5-4-1. - Actually let me re-read: "Gill; Caceres, Velazquez, Gomez, Canale, Maidana; Pitta, Cubas, Galarza; Enciso, Avalos" - That's 11 players: GK, 5 defenders, 3 midfielders, 2 forwards. So a 5-3-2. - But wait, Gustavo Gómez is a CB, so the backline would be: Cáceres (RB), Velázquez (CB), Gómez (CB), Canale (CB), Maidana (LB) - a back 5. - Midfield: Pitta, Cubas, Galarza - Forwards: Enciso, Ávalos But let me think about this more carefully. With Diego Gómez suspended, Gustavo Gómez (the CB) would be in defense. And Almirón is available now. Actually, looking at the FIFA preview more carefully, it lists "Possible Paraguay starting XI" with those names. Let me check if Almirón would start now that he's available. The ESPN article says "Miguel Almirón served his suspension against Australia and is available for selection once more." So he should be available. Let me think about Paraguay's likely setup: - They'll likely be defensive against Germany. - A 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 makes sense. - With Diego Gómez (midfielder) suspended, they lose a key midfielder. - Almirón available now could start. Let me reconsider the Paraguay lineup: - GK: Roberto Junior Fernández (more experienced than Gill? But FIFA preview says Gill) - Actually, the FIFA preview says "Gill" as GK. Let me go with what's reported. Actually, looking at the FIFA preview more carefully, it says: "Gill; Caceres, Velazquez, Gomez, Canale, Maidana; Pitta, Cubas, Galarza; Enciso, Avalos" So: - GK: Orlando Gill - DEF: Juan José Cáceres (RWB), Gustavo Velázquez (CB), Gustavo Gómez (CB), José María Canale (CB), Alexandro Maidana (LWB) - MID: Isidro Pitta, Andrés Cubas, Matías Galarza - FWD: Julio Enciso, Gabriel Ávalos But wait - Pitta is listed as a forward in the squad. And the midfield has Cubas and Galarza. So maybe it's a 5-2-1-2 or 5-3-2 with Pitta as a midfielder/forward hybrid. Actually, looking at the squad list more carefully: - Isidro Pitta is listed as Forward - Matías Galarza is listed as Midfielder - Andrés Cubas is Midfielder So the midfield three would be Pitta (playing as a CM/AM), Cubas (DM), Galarza (CM). But with Almirón available, he might come in. Let me think... Given that Almirón is available and is their most creative player, he likely starts. But who drops out? If Almirón starts, he could replace Pitta in the midfield, or replace one of the forwards. Let me go with the FIFA preview as the most reliable source, but adjust for Almirón's availability. Actually, let me just go with what the FIFA preview says since it's the most recent and specific. But I'll swap in Almirón for someone since he's now available. Let me think about this differently. The FIFA article seems to be the official match preview. Let me use that as my primary source. For Germany, the FIFA preview says: "Neuer; Kimmich, Tah, Rudiger, Raum; Nmecha, Pavlovic; Sane, Musiala, Wirtz; Havertz" This is a 4-2-3-1: - GK: Neuer - DEF: Kimmich (RB), Tah (CB), Rüdiger (CB), Raum (LB) - MID: Nmecha, Pavlović (double pivot) - AM: Sané (RW), Musiala (CAM), Wirtz (LW) - FWD: Havertz (ST) This makes perfect sense given the squad and injuries. For Paraguay, the FIFA preview says: "Gill; Caceres, Velazquez, Gomez, Canale, Maidana; Pitta, Cubas, Galarza; Enciso, Avalos" This is a 5-3-2: - GK: Gill - DEF: Cáceres (RWB), Velázquez (RCB), Gómez (CB), Canale (LCB), Maidana (LWB) - MID: Pitta (RM), Cubas (CM), Galarza (LM) - FWD: Enciso, Ávalos But with Almirón available, I think he'd start. Let me swap him in. He could replace Pitta or Ávalos. Actually, I think Almirón would start in place of Pitta in midfield, or replace Ávalos up front. Given that Almirón is more of an attacking midfielder/winger, he could play behind the strikers or as a forward. Let me go with Almirón replacing Pitta in the midfield, making it more of a 5-2-1-2 or 5-3-2 with Almirón as the advanced midfielder. Actually, I'll keep it close to the FIFA preview but substitute Almirón in for Pitta since Almirón is now available and Pitta is more of a forward. So: Gill; Cáceres, Velázquez, Gómez, Canale, Maidana; Almirón, Cubas, Galarza; Enciso, Ávalos This makes sense - Almirón as a more creative midfielder, Cubas as the defensive midfielder, Galarza as the box-to-box. Let me finalize my predictions.

Germany enter as clear favourites despite their 2-1 loss to Ecuador, having topped their group. They'll deploy their familiar 4-2-3-1 shape with defensive solidity through Kimmich and Pavlović anchoring midfield, while Wirtz, Musiala and Sané provide creative width and penetration behind Havertz. Schlotterbeck's tournament-ending injury forces Tah into the back line alongside Rüdiger. Paraguay, without suspended Diego Gómez and with Alderete doubtful, will adopt a compact defensive structure—likely 5-4-1 or 4-5-1—prioritising containment with Almirón returning to offer counter-attacking threat. Germany's superior technical quality and attacking depth should dominate possession, but Paraguay's disciplined defending (evidenced by their 1-0 win over Türkiye) means this could remain tight. Germany likely to edge this 2-0 or 2-1.

Germany should control possession with a compact 4-2-3-1 built around Kimmich, Wirtz and Musiala, while Paraguay are likeliest to stay deeper and look for transitions through Enciso, Almirón and Sosa. I’m favoring Germany’s most technical XI with full-backs who can support width and a double pivot for rest defense; Paraguay get a disciplined midfield shield, aerial strength at center-back, and pace up front to threaten counters.

The task is to predict starting lineups for Germany vs Paraguay in the Round of 32 on 2026-06-29. I must use only names from the provided squads.