Germany won Group E despite a dead-rubber loss to Ecuador, having already banked qualification through a 7-1 rout of Curacao and a stoppage-time 2-1 over Cote d'Ivoire. The loss of Nico Schlotterbeck (ankle, out for the tournament) reshuffles the back line, but the attacking machine is intact, and against a side that surrenders territory by design that is what matters. The only previous World Cup meeting — Germany 1-0 in the 2002 last 16 — hints at the pattern: patient pressure against a stubborn block.

Paraguay are here on merit of survival rather than threat: a 4-1 battering by the USA, a narrow 1-0 over Turkiye and a 0-0 with Australia to sneak in as a wildcard. They defend deep and counter, and Miguel Almiron is back from his ban to give them an outlet, but the suspension of Diego Gomez weakens their midfield screen. Experts read a comfortable Germany win around 3-1, built on territory and set pieces, and the panel agrees unanimously. Paraguay can frustrate for a spell, but the gap in quality should tell well before the end.