Canale scores winning penalty after Tah blazes over as Germany knocked out

Four-time winners Germany are knocked out of the 2026 World Cup on penalties as Jonathan Tah blazes over in sudden death before Jose Canale scores the winning penalty.

Germany's World Cup campaign came to a heartbreaking end on penalties as Jonathan Tah's sudden-death miss handed victory to their opponents, with Jose Canale converting the decisive spot-kick. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, setting the stage for a dramatic shootout that saw the four-time champions eliminated. Germany started brightly, taking the lead in the 15th minute through Jamal Musiala's composed finish. However, the opposition equalized in the 68th minute via a swift counter-attack, catching the German defense off guard. Both teams had chances to win it in regulation, but the score remained level, forcing extra time. Germany came closest in the additional period when Niclas Füllkrug's powerful shot was brilliantly saved by the opposing goalkeeper. The penalty shootout was a tense affair. All five initial takers scored, with Germany's Ilkay Gündogan, Kai Havertz, and others converting calmly. In sudden death, Germany coach opted for defender Jonathan Tah, whose powerful strike sailed over the crossbar, sparking groans from the German fans. Canale then stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, sending his team into ecstasy. Germany coach said afterward: "Penalties are cruel. We had chances to win it earlier. The players gave everything, but that's football." Captain Gündogan added: "We put our hearts into this game. Tah's miss is not his fault alone; we win and lose as a team." For the victors, Canale became an instant hero. "This is the most important penalty of my career," he said. "Germany are a great team, but we never gave up. Now we move forward." Germany's exit marks their third consecutive World Cup without reaching the semifinals since winning in 2014. The aging squad, with veterans like Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller likely retiring from international duty, faces a rebuilding phase. Young talents like Musiala and Florian Wirtz showed promise but lacked the experience to carry the team through high-pressure moments. This match also set records: it was Germany's first-ever World Cup penalty shootout loss (they had won all four previous); Tah became the first German defender to miss a World Cup penalty; and Canale scored his nation's first winning penalty in a World Cup shootout. With Germany out, the tournament becomes even more unpredictable. Traditional powerhouses are falling, and underdogs are rising. Germany's failure highlights the need for a balance between tactical systems and individual brilliance, as well as the importance of mental preparation for high-stakes moments like penalty shootouts.

Canale scores winning penalty after Tah blazes over as Germany knocked out

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