While the Germany team as a whole let itself down, it is center-back Jonathan Tah who perhaps leaves the most enduring image of the Die Nationalelf’s failure.
In the round of 32 against Paraguay, the 30-year-old, who had never taken a penalty before in his career, stepped up to take the first of the sudden-death spot-kicks. He smashed his effort high over the crossbar, ultimately condemning his side to a surprising early exit. Rumor has it, the ball is still flying somewhere in Massachusetts’ airspace.
While that alone would be an unfair reason for the Bayern Munich stopper to be in this XI, he also made only three tackles in his four games, was dribbled past twice, and didn’t manage to help Germany to a single clean sheet, even against a Curaçao side it smashed seven past. He even deflected the shot that resulted in the Blue Wave’s goal.
He was poor against Côte d’Ivoire, too, often clumsy in both his defensive work and in possession.