Kai Havertz has apologised to his Germany teammates after their World Cup campaign came to a dramatic end following a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay in the Round of 32.
Germany arrived in the knockout stages after topping their group with three victories and were widely regarded as one of the favourites to challenge for the trophy.
Instead, Julian Nagelsmann’s side suffered an early exit after a fiercely contested encounter in which Havertz endured a difficult evening despite scoring his team’s equaliser.
Paraguay took the lead during normal time before Havertz brought Germany level to force extra time and eventually a penalty shootout.
The Arsenal forward stepped up during the shootout but saw his effort saved as Germany suffered their first-ever defeat in a World Cup penalty shootout.
Jonathan Tah and Nick Woltemade also failed to convert, while Paraguay held their nerve to progress with a 4-3 victory on penalties after Jose Canale dispatched the decisive kick.
Germany thought they had won the tie in extra time when Tah found the net, only for VAR to disallow the goal after Waldemar Anton was judged to have fouled goalkeeper Orlando Gill in the build-up.
After the final whistle, Havertz admitted the result was difficult to accept.
“I’m a little lost for words,” he said.
The Arsenal striker accepted responsibility for his missed penalty while expressing sympathy for his teammates.
“All I can do is apologise,” Havertz added. “We have to take a hard look at ourselves, especially the players.”
The disappointment capped another emotionally draining few weeks for the 27-year-old.
Only a month earlier, Havertz had scored in Arsenal’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain before the Gunners were beaten on penalties in Budapest.
That defeat was softened slightly by Arsenal ending their 22-year wait for the Premier League title, with Havertz playing a key role throughout the campaign after returning from injury.
He also enjoyed an encouraging World Cup on an individual level before Germany’s elimination.
Havertz scored three goals during the tournament, including a brace in the group-stage victory over Curaçao before netting the equaliser against Paraguay in the knockout rounds.
In the build-up to the last-32 tie, the Arsenal forward had spoken confidently about Germany’s improved mentality and attacking football after topping their group.
However, those ambitions were cut short by a resilient Paraguay side that defended superbly before holding their composure from the penalty spot.
Havertz will now return to Arsenal earlier than expected, where Mikel Arteta will hope the forward can quickly put another international disappointment behind him as preparations begin for the defence of the Premier League title.