Round of 32 · Match 2
GermanyvsParaguay
2026-06-29·16:00 local·Gillette Stadium · BostonPredictions finalised
Match signals
Factors that favour each side, from statistical models to group stage form and match conditions. Longer bars = stronger advantage.
Germany are dominant at 62% vs Paraguay's 13%. Quality, form, and model estimates all point the same way. An upset here would be a major story.
📊What the Models Say
Rates teams by a single strength number updated after every match. Simpler but fast to react. It rates Germany at 50% to win vs Paraguay at 28%.
Simulates the goal-scoring process using attack and defence strength. The heaviest-weighted model. It rates Germany at 58% to win vs Paraguay at 16%.
Groups teams by confederation to share information. Helps for teams with fewer matches. It rates Germany at 56% to win vs Paraguay at 18%.
The published probability after calibration and adjustments. This is what the model says. It rates Germany at 62% to win vs Paraguay at 13%.
All 3 models agree: Germany is favoured. When models agree, the signal is stronger.
⚽Tournament Form
Germany collected 7 points (2W 1D 1L) vs Paraguay's 5 (1W 2D 2L). A stronger tournament record.
Germany averaged 2.75 goals per match vs Paraguay's 0.6. More firepower coming in.
Similar defensive records: Germany 1.25, Paraguay 1.2 goals conceded per match.
Germany's goal difference of +6 is better than Paraguay's -3. They outperformed opponents by more.
📈Momentum
Paraguay's rating rose -6.4 during the tournament while Germany's moved -16.8. The tournament has been kinder to Paraguay.
Paraguay's players improved their form ratings during the tournament (+0.0042) vs Germany (-0.0042). Players trending upward.
🏆Team Quality
Germany is rated 1923 vs Paraguay's 1833 (gap: 90). That's a noticeable gap in historical team strength.
The model expects Germany to create 1.63 expected goals vs Paraguay's 0.76. More and better chances projected.
Paraguay's top 3 starters are harder to replace (avg VORP 0.37) than Germany's (0.20). More star power in key positions.
Germany's starters play together at club level more often (0.031 cohesion) than Paraguay's (0.000). More shared understanding on the pitch.
🌍Match Conditions
Germany traveled 5,993km vs Paraguay's 7,405km. A shorter journey means less fatigue.
Paraguay face a 0h timezone shift vs Germany's 6h. Less jet lag disruption.
17 signals across 5 categories. Signal strength reflects how large the gap is between the two teams on each factor. Signals are descriptive, not prescriptive.
Die Prognose
Match-outcome probability
- Germany win52.5%
- Draw27.6%
- Paraguay win20.0%
A clash of identities: Germany's possession-dominant approach meets Paraguay's balanced style in a fixture the model gives to Germany at 62%.
▸Tore & Spielstände
Likeliest score 1–0 (14.2%) · xG 1.6 - 0.8
Expected goals
Mean of the Dixon-Coles joint goal distribution. Same fit that produces the most-likely-scoreline list below.
Most likely scorelines
- 1–014.2%
- 2–012.2%
- 1–112.0%
- 0–09.8%
- 2–19.3%
From the Dixon-Coles joint Poisson with the low-score correction. Scorelines are listed in probability order; this is a description of the model's distribution, not a recommendation.
Most likely half-time scorelines
- 0–030.8%
- 1–024.1%
- 0–110.9%
- 2–010.1%
- 1–110.0%
Same Dixon-Coles fit as the full-time list above, with rates halved to a 45-minute window and the low-score correction applied to that 1st-half block. The 0-0 row sits higher here than at full-time because fewer minutes have elapsed.
Goal totals
- More than 0.5 goals90.2%
- More than 1.5 goals69.8%
- More than 2.5 goals42.9%
- More than 3.5 goals22.1%
- More than 4.5 goals9.5%
- More than 5.5 goals3.5%
- Both teams score43.6%
Each row is the probability the match finishes with more than the listed number of goals. Both-teams-to-score is the probability each side scores at least once. All values are marginals of the Dixon-Coles joint goal grid that produces the scoreline list above — not market lines or any other operator construct.
Event-typed probabilities
- Germany clean sheetOpposing team scores zero46.6%
- Paraguay clean sheetOpposing team scores zero19.5%
Derived from the same Dixon-Coles joint distribution as the scoreline list. These are descriptive event probabilities — see CLAUDE.md §3/§4 (formerly COMPLIANCE.md §4.2.7) for the framing the project uses.
Win-margin probability
- Germany by 4+4.9%
- Germany by 3+13.9%
- Germany by 2+31.9%
- Germany by 1+57.5%
- Draw25.9%
- Paraguay by 1+16.6%
- Paraguay by 2+5.0%
- Paraguay by 3+1.1%
- Paraguay by 4+0.2%
Each row is the probability the match ends with the listed margin or larger in that direction. Marginal of the Dixon-Coles joint goal grid; the “by 1+” rows plus the draw row sum to 1.
▸Wie das Spiel sich entwickelt
Over 2.5 goals 42.9% · BTTS 43.6%
Game state through the match
- Germany ahead58.2%
- Level24.5%
- Paraguay ahead17.3%
Probability of each game state at minutes 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 — derived from two independent thinned-Poisson processes with the Dixon-Coles per-team rates. The three lines always sum to 1 at each minute. The right column shows the state at the match's closing minute.
When the first goal arrives
- 0–1532.9%
- 15–3022.1%
- 30–4514.8%
- 45–609.9%
- 60–756.7%
- 75–904.5%
- No goal9.1%
Probability the match's first goal arrives in each 15-minute window. Homogeneous Poisson with combined rate λ = λh + λa from the Dixon-Coles fit; the seven rows (six windows + no-goal tail) sum to 1.
Half-time / full-time grid
| HT ↓ / FT → | HGermany win | DDraw | AParaguay win |
|---|---|---|---|
| HGermany ahead | 38.1% | 4.0% | 0.8% |
| DLevel | 18.1% | 16.7% | 6.7% |
| AParaguay ahead | 2.0% | 4.0% | 9.6% |
Each cell is P(half-time result, full-time result). All nine cells sum to 1. Derived from a halved-λ Dixon-Coles fit for the first half plus an independent-Poisson second-half convolution.
Comeback probability
- Germany trail at HT, avoid defeat at FT5.9%
- Paraguay trail at HT, avoid defeat at FT4.9%
Joint probability — P(side trailing at half-time AND avoiding defeat at full-time). NOT conditional on trailing at HT. Derived from the same half-time / full-time decomposition that produces the HT/FT grid above; a tied first half is neither a home nor an away comeback opportunity.
PK shootout simulator
If the match ends level after extra time, the model estimates the shootout outcome from each team's Bayesian-smoothed conversion / save rate (Model #15). The bracket simulator uses the symmetric (averaged) ordering; the two what-if scenarios below show how the win probabilities shift when conditioning on which team kicks first.
- Germany61.9%
- Paraguay38.1%
- Germany72.7%
- Paraguay27.3%
- Germany51.4%
- Paraguay48.6%
First-kicker advantage
The first kicker's per-kick conversion rate is scaled by ×1.050 (about +5.0%), stacked on the Markov chain's structural asymmetry. Real World Cup shootouts use a coin toss for kicker order, so on average the order is 50/50 — the symmetric path above is the relevant number for a single fixture. The ordering-conditioned probabilities are a descriptive what-if scenario.
Literature: first kickers win ≈ 60% historically (Apesteguia & Palacios-Huerta, American Economic Review 2010; Vandebroek et al. 2016).
Per-team posteriors: Germany conv 78.2%, save 30.9%; Paraguay conv 72.5%, save 27.5%. Smoothed against the global prior with prior strength 20 — see /docs/methodology/.
▸Teams & Spieler
Top scorer: Sanabria (7.6%)
Match detail
Germany
Model-rated key players: Niclas Füllkrug (FW) — P(scores) 6.8%; Leroy Sané (FW) — P(scores) 5.1%; Kai Havertz (FW) — P(scores) 4.9%.
Germany under Julian Nagelsmann play a possession dominant game, holding 64% of the ball — among the highest in the tournament field. Their likely shape is a 4-2-3-1. They apply moderate pressing intensity (PPDA 17.8) and build patiently through midfield with 8.6 passes per attacking sequence. They generate a high volume of shots (17.4 per 90).
To succeed, Germany must control tempo and territory in midfield — their possession-dominant approach depends on dictating the rhythm of each match. Managing the fitness of Florian Wirtz could prove decisive — their availability transforms the team's ceiling.
Paraguay
Model-rated key players: Antonio Sanabria (FW) — P(scores) 7.6%; Julio Enciso (FW) — P(scores) 4.0%; Óscar Romero (FW) — P(scores) 3.5%.
Paraguay under Gustavo Alfaro play a balanced game with 48% possession. They press intensely (PPDA 14.2, top quartile (3rd of 40)) and move the ball forward quickly at 5.7 passes per attack. They generate a high volume of shots (13.4 per 90).
Paraguay will need to leverage their strengths while managing the physical demands of a tournament spread across three host countries.
Germany's predicted XI averages 2,067 club minutes over the 2024-25 season (moderate load).
Germany coverage: 88.0% (10/11 XI matched against the FBref Big-5) · Paraguay: 27.0% (5/11).
Germany historically converts 14.8% of xG from set-pieces, contributing 0.24 expected set-piece goals in this fixture. Paraguay converts 4.8% from set-pieces (0.04 expected). Combined, the model expects 0.28 set-piece goals across the 90 minutes.
- P(Germany scores set-piece goal) 21.4%
- P(Paraguay scores set-piece goal) 3.6%
- P(set-piece goal in match) 24.3%
Germany: Joshua Kimmich on corners (62 corners) (per fbref 2022 23) · Paraguay: Óscar Romero on free kicks (per fbref 2017 18)
If a penalty is awarded to Germany, the model gives 78.2% conversion, 72.5% for Paraguay. If this match goes to a shootout, the symmetric (coin-toss averaged) win probability is 61.9% Germany / 38.1% Paraguay.
Germany primary PK: Niclas Füllkrug (3/3 in 2022-23, per fbref 2022 23) · Paraguay primary PK: Antonio Sanabria (1/2 in 2018-19, per fbref 2017 18).
Derived from the model's per-fixture forecast joint and supporting reference data (predicted squads, set-piece xG share, PK posteriors, club minutes). See /docs/methodology/ for the full methodology.
Squad depth
Most irreplaceable starters
Germany
- Deniz UndavStrikerCover: Maximilian Beier · 0.680.25gap
- Leroy SanéWingerCover: Jamie Leweling · 0.730.18gap
- Kai HavertzStrikerCover: Maximilian Beier · 0.680.17gap
Paraguay
- Omar AldereteCentre-backCover: Gustavo Velázquez · 0.410.38gap
- Júnior AlonsoCentre-backCover: Gustavo Velázquez · 0.410.37gap
- Miguel AlmirónWingerNo natural backup0.35gap
Gap = how far a side's rating at the position falls from the starter to his likely in-squad replacement (named under each name). Larger = harder to replace. Descriptive metric, does not feed the published probabilities. Methodology →
Match conditions
- AltitudeNear sea level67 m
- Avg temperatureFive-year mean over the tournament window21.8 °C
- Avg humidity76%
- Heat stressShade WBGT ~24.1 °CLow heat stress
- Pitch surfacetemporary natural grass over artificial turf
Artificial-turf NFL stadium laying a temporary natural-grass pitch for the tournament.
Heat stress is a shade Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature proxy from the venue's climatology mean temperature and humidity; FIFA mandates cooling breaks at WBGT 32 °C. Afternoon kickoff (local time). These are long-window averages, not a match-day forecast, and they are not inputs to the forecast.
Top scorers · P(scores in this match)
- Niclas FüllkrugPKFW6.8%
- Leroy SanéFW5.1%
- Kai HavertzFW4.9%
- Antonio SanabriaPKFW7.6%
- Julio EncisoFW4.0%
- Óscar RomeroFW3.5%
Per-player scoring rate from Model #5 (`p_score_per_match`). Reflects each player's npxG/90, expected minutes, team xG share, and the average opposing-team defence. See /docs/methodology/.
Recent match form
Last match player ratings
Germany
vs Ecuador · avg 7.4
Paraguay
vs France · avg 6.5
Player scores from official highlight analysis of each team's most recent match. Observational, not a model input. Methodology →
Video analysis: player performance
Per-player ratings and event breakdowns from official highlights analysis. Tap a player to see their full match timeline.
8Kai Havertz35'–59'Scored Germany's equalizer with a clever header and was a constant attacking threat, creating multiple scoring opportunities.
1goals1shots1on target1headers▼
Scored Germany's equalizer with a clever header and was a constant attacking threat, creating multiple scoring opportunities.
Match timeline
7Joshua Kimmich35'–35'A central figure in Germany's midfield, dictating tempo and contributing significantly to both offensive build-up and defensive control.
1shots▼
A central figure in Germany's midfield, dictating tempo and contributing significantly to both offensive build-up and defensive control.
Match timeline
4Manuel Neuer41'–41'Made a significant error leading to an opposition chance and failed to make a decisive save in the penalty shootout.
▼
Made a significant error leading to an opposition chance and failed to make a decisive save in the penalty shootout.
Match timeline
3Jonathan Tah110'–110'Had a potential winning goal disallowed and then missed a decisive penalty in the shootout, directly contributing to Germany's elimination.
1shots▼
Had a potential winning goal disallowed and then missed a decisive penalty in the shootout, directly contributing to Germany's elimination.
Match timeline
9Gill59'–59'A standout performer whose multiple crucial saves in regular and extra time, along with a penalty save in the shootout, were instrumental in Paraguay's victory.
1saves▼
A standout performer whose multiple crucial saves in regular and extra time, along with a penalty save in the shootout, were instrumental in Paraguay's victory.
Match timeline
8Galarza22'–22'Scored the crucial opening goal for Paraguay from a set piece, giving his team an early lead.
1goals▼
Scored the crucial opening goal for Paraguay from a set piece, giving his team an early lead.
Match timeline
7CanaleConverted the decisive penalty in the shootout, securing Paraguay's progression to the next round.
1goals▼
Converted the decisive penalty in the shootout, securing Paraguay's progression to the next round.
Match timeline
Match observations
- This knockout stage encounter saw Paraguay secure a historic victory over Germany.
- The match was a tightly contested affair, with both teams finding the net once in regular time.
- Germany pressed hard in extra time, but Paraguay's goalkeeper was resolute, forcing the game into a penalty shootout.
▸Hinter den Kulissen
Model-by-model comparison
Germany vs Paraguay
| Model | Weight | Home | Draw | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EloRating-based strength estimate | 32% | 50.3% | 22.0% | 27.7% |
| Dixon-ColesGoal-process model with low-score correction | 63% | 57.9% | 25.7% | 16.5% |
| Hierarchical PoissonBayesian model with confederation pooling | 6% | 56.1% | 25.6% | 18.4% |
| Bayesian stackingLearned-weight combination | — | 61.5% | 25.3% | 13.2% |
| Ensemble (published)Uniform average + isotonic calibration | — | 62.0% | 24.8% | 13.2% |
How each model works
- Elo
- Each team carries a single strength rating updated after every match by a margin-aware K-factor. Match probabilities come from the logistic function of the rating gap. Elo is fast-adapting but coarse — it sees only who won and by how much, not how the goals were scored.
- Dixon-Coles
- A Poisson regression on team-level attack and defence parameters, fitted via maximum likelihood with an exponential time-decay weighting. The Dixon-Coles correction adjusts the four low-score cells (0-0, 1-0, 0-1, 1-1) where independent Poisson underestimates dependence. Produces full scoreline distributions, not just H/D/A.
- Hierarchical Poisson
- A Bayesian Poisson model fitted via MCMC (PyMC) with hierarchical priors that pool attack and defence parameters within confederations. Shrinks small-sample teams toward their confederation mean — helpful for nations with few recent competitive fixtures. Slower to fit but better-calibrated on the tails.
- Bayesian stacking
- Optimises simplex weights (w_elo, w_dc, w_hp) to maximise the leave-one-out log-score across a walk-forward backtest (Yao et al. 2018). The result is a weighted average of the three component models' probabilities, then isotonic-calibrated. Adds no extra features — just learns which component to trust more from historical accuracy.
- Ensemble (published)
- Equal-weight average of all three component models, followed by per-class isotonic regression calibration fitted on 24 months of walk-forward out-of-fold predictions. This is the probability published on the site. The uniform mean is deliberately simple — it avoids overfitting to the stacking weights' training window.
Three independent component models feed two combination strategies. The uniform ensemble is the published probability; Bayesian stacking uses learned weights. Amber bars flag >5pp divergence from the published number. Full methodology
Latest news & match context
No recent headlines for Germany or Paraguay.
- Stage:
- Round of 32 · Match 2
- Date:
- 29 Jun
- Venue:
- Gillette Stadium, Boston
Ranked by likely importance. None of these feed the forecast: the probabilities rest on team strength, venue conditions and the style matchup.
- 1.Elimination stakes: A one-off elimination tie. Motivation, risk appetite and game management under tournament pressure are not model inputs; the forecast rests on team strength and the style matchup.
Germany
Germany come in at close to full strength.
Paraguay
Paraguay come in at close to full strength.
Germany and Paraguay both come in at close to full strength, so the forecast rests on baseline team strength rather than late team-news swings.
Availability from the predicted squads and injury feed; forecast adjustments from the model's own decomposition. See /docs/methodology/.
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