Havertz, Woltemade and Tah were the villains as Die Mannschaft suffered their first World Cup defeat.

Julio Enciso had earlier put Paraguay ahead against the run of play late in the first half of normal time only for Havertz to level shortly after the restart.

Germany thought they had won it in extra time when Tah headed in Nathaniel Brown’s corner only for Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed and VAR to rule that Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill had been blocked by Waldemar Anton as the ball went in.

It seemed extremely harsh given the amount of physical contact allowed during the 120 minute run.

Paraguay starts and ends the first half strongly

The first half started and ended with Paraguay’s chance, Junior Alonso failed to turn home Enciso’s corner in the first minute from the left after finding himself completely unmarked at the far post.

Germany survived and began to dominate the game in midfield with Joshua Kimmich pulling the strings.

But a chronic lack of creativity hampered their efforts as, time and time again, they fumbled possessions or threw the ball into the box that Paraguay’s defenders had cornered.

Germany’s main attacking threats, Florian Wirtz, Havertz and Leroy Sane were largely unknown and Paraguay looked comfortable.

After taking the sting out of Germany, the South Americans used the sucker punch as the break approached.

From a recycled corner, the ball slipped to Matías Galarza down the right and his inch-perfect cross was ready for Strasbourg midfielder Enciso to head home.

Germany produced an improved display in the second half

Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann made one change at half-time, replacing Leon Goretzka with Felix Nmecha. It seemed like a turning point when Germany needed to introduce more creative players.

However, it had the desired result, but only after Paraguay nearly doubled their lead after 50 minutes.

The ever-reliable Kimmich fed the ball straight to Enciso, who headed towards goal but saw his effort saved by the onrushing Neuer.

It would prove to be a crucial moment as Germany pulled themselves level after four minutes. It didn’t come from a good pass but another ball into the box but this time Havertz got in front of his marker to look into Wirtz’s area and the ball flew to the right.

For the first time all game, Paraguay were on the move and only a good block denied Goretzka putting Germany ahead soon after.

Jamal Musiala’s 63rd-minute introduction of the inactive Deniz Undav gave Germany more control with the Bayern Munich star and Havertz going forward.

The Arsenal man provided a greater aerial threat than Undav and almost added a second goal with a header 13 minutes from time, rising to meet Wirtz’s cross but slotting the ball straight at Gill from six yards.

Tah’s goal reversed Germany’s frustration

Extra time was relatively uneventful as Germany had possession but did very little with it, although there was a moment of contention two minutes before the break when Tah saw his effort go wide after Anton’s slight touch on Gill.