Paraguay rewrite history with stunning shootout triumph over Germany

Paraguay produced one of the biggest moments of the 2026 World Cup on Monday, eliminating four-time champions Germany in a dramatic penalty shootout after a tense round-of-16 clash ended 1-1 through extra time.

The South Americans held their nerve when the pressure reached its highest point, winning 4-3 on penalties after goalkeeper Orlando Gill delivered two crucial saves before Jose Canale converted the decisive sudden-death kick.

The victory marked Paraguay’s biggest upset of the tournament and secured a place in the next round, where they will face the winner of Tuesday’s match between France and Sweden on July 4 in Philadelphia.

A further victory would send Paraguay back to Foxborough for a quarter-final encounter on July 9.

Enciso gives Paraguay historic advantage

Paraguay entered the match carrying a difficult knockout-stage history.

Despite appearing in five previous World Cup knockout matches, the nation had failed to score in each of those contests.

That changed in Foxborough.

Julio Enciso provided the breakthrough late in the first half, rising to meet a cross and heading Paraguay into the lead.

The goal gave the underdogs belief and placed Germany, playing their first World Cup knockout match since winning the 2014 final, under immediate pressure.

Havertz restores German hope

Germany responded after halftime, leaning on the experience and quality that has defined their tournament history.

Kai Havertz brought the European giants level in the 52nd minute, giving Germany momentum and setting up a tense finish.

For long stretches, Germany appeared capable of completing another comeback story.

Instead, Paraguay forced the match into extra time and eventually into a penalty shootout, a scenario that historically favored the Germans.

Germany arrived with an impressive penalty record, having won six of their previous seven shootouts in major tournaments.

Their last defeat in such a situation came against Czechoslovakia in the 1976 European Championship final, and Germany had won six consecutive shootouts since.

But this time, Paraguay had Gill.

The goalkeeper became the central figure in a defining moment for his country, making two vital saves to keep the South Americans alive.

After a tense exchange of penalties, Canale stepped forward for the sudden-death attempt and delivered the winning strike.

The celebration that followed marked a new chapter in Paraguayan football history.

Revenge nearly a quarter-century in the making

The result also carried historical significance.

The only previous World Cup meeting between Germany and Paraguay came in the 2002 tournament, when Germany defeated the South Americans 1-0 in the round of 16.

Nearly 24 years later, Paraguay finally gained its revenge.

The victory also matched another rare achievement for Paraguay, who previously advanced beyond a knockout round only once — defeating Japan on penalties in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa before eventually falling to eventual champions Spain in the quarter-finals.

Germany’s late extra-time drama ends in frustration

The Germans thought they had completed a late turnaround when Jonathan Tah headed in a corner from Nathaniel Brown in the 102nd minute.

The goal appeared to give Germany a 2-1 lead and potentially send them through.

However, a video review overturned the decision after officials ruled that Waldemar Anton had fouled Gill before the header.

The disallowed goal kept Paraguay alive and pushed the match toward its final test: penalties.

A new World Cup chapter for paraguay

Paraguay’s triumph will be remembered as a night when belief overcame reputation.

Against a nation with four World Cup titles and decades of knockout experience, the South Americans remained organized, resilient, and fearless.

Now they advance deeper into the tournament with history already made, and with a growing belief that their journey may not be finished.