Ken Early: Dismal Germany exit World Cup after losing penalty shootout

This commentary piece reflects on Germany's dismal exit from the 2026 World Cup, criticizing the team's lack of intensity and drive. The author suggests the team has lost its traditional virtues and has become brittle and unconvincing.
Why it matters
It provides a critical cultural analysis of the decline of a historically dominant sports team, reflecting broader discussions about national identity in sports.
World Cup second round: Germany 1 Paraguay 1 (Paraguay win 4-3 on penalties)
The article is an opinion-based commentary, which inherently carries the author's subjective view on the team's performance.
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