Penalty shoot-outs had never been a cause for concern for Germany. Rather, they were the weapon with which they settled their toughest battles, and the moment when ‘Die Mannschaft’ became even stronger and more resolute. But at the 2026 World Cup, a rule that had stood for more than four decades was overturned, and one of the most formidable records in World Cup history came to an end. Germany’s elimination by Paraguay in the round of 32 was not merely an early exit from the tournament, but the end of an exceptional record that had remained unbroken since 1982. Every time…