After a tense 1-1 draw and a controversial disallowed goal in extra time, Paraguay stunned the four-time champions 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout to advance to the Round of 16.
BOSTON, June 30 — In what will instantly go down as one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history, Paraguay has eliminated four-time champions Germany from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The South American side defied overwhelming odds to win 4-3 in a sudden-death penalty shootout following a gripping 1-1 draw over 120 minutes at Boston Stadium.
The defeat marks Germany’s first-ever penalty shootout loss at a World Cup and guarantees their agonizing wait to reach the last 16 stretches past a decade, having not advanced that far since lifting the trophy in 2014. For Paraguay, ranked 41st in the world, the victory triggered absolute pandemonium, with President Santiago Peña immediately declaring a national public holiday to celebrate the historic achievement.
The match followed a frustratingly familiar script for Julian Nagelsmann’s German squad. Despite monopolizing possession—holding a staggering 83 per cent of the ball by the first hydration break—Germany struggled to penetrate Paraguay’s fiercely disciplined defensive block.
Paraguay capitalized on the German frustration just before halftime. In the 42nd minute, Julio Enciso rose to meet a cross, powering a shock header past Manuel Neuer to give the Albirroja a 1-0 lead. The Germans responded early in the second half, leveling the score in the 53rd minute when Kai Havertz glanced a brilliant header into the net off a cross from Florian Wirtz.
The match pushed into extra time, bringing massive VAR controversy. German defender Jonathan Tah headed the ball into the net from a corner, seemingly securing the comeback, but the goal was ruled out following a video review for a foul on Paraguay’s goalkeeper in the build-up.
Unable to break the deadlock, the match went to a penalty shootout—traditionally a fortress of German reliability.
This time, however, the fortress crumbled. Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill emerged as the undisputed hero of the night, setting the tone by saving Kai Havertz’s opening spot-kick and later denying Nick Woltemade. Though veteran Manuel Neuer kept German hopes alive by saving Antonio Sanabria’s attempt, the shootout went to sudden death.
Under immense pressure, Jonathan Tah stepped up and blazed his penalty high over the crossbar. That set the stage for Paraguayan defender Jose Canale. Canale showed no nerves, calmly slotting a left-footed strike into the top right corner to seal a 4-3 shootout victory.
Paraguay’s giant-killing run continues as they now prepare to face either France or Sweden in Philadelphia on July 4. Meanwhile, a devastated German side must pack their bags and face a brutal post-mortem back home.
