Paraguay pulled off one of the great World Cup upsets Monday, eliminating Germany in a penalty shootout after a dramatic 1-1 draw, dealing the four-time world champions a stunning last-32 exit and ending their wait for a first knockout-stage win since lifting the trophy in Brazil twelve years ago.
Orlando Gill was the hero between the posts for Paraguay, saving spot-kicks from Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade, as Germany’s Jonathan Tah blazed the decisive penalty over the bar to allow Jose Canale to slam home the winning kick and send Paraguay through to the last 16.
It marked the first time in history that Germany have lost a World Cup penalty shootout, capping another bitterly disappointing tournament for a nation that has failed to advance beyond the group stage or round of 32 in three of the past four World Cups.
“I have no words,” Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said after the match. “The players gave everything. To go out this way is devastating.”
Enciso Opens the Scoring
Paraguay, ranked significantly below their opponents, showed no signs of apprehension from the outset. Junior Alonso went close from a corner within the first minute, and the South Americans continued to threaten before breaking the deadlock before half-time.
After Manuel Neuer punched away a corner, Paraguay worked the ball quickly to the right flank, where Matias Galarza whipped in a precision cross that found Julio Enciso completely unmarked at the back post. The forward made no mistake with a firm header, giving his side a shock lead and completing a moment of considerable historical significance — Paraguay’s first goal in the World Cup knockout stages, having failed to score in five previous knockout appearances, including a 1-0 defeat to Germany in the round of 16 at the 2002 tournament.
Germany, who opened this World Cup with a thrilling 7-1 demolition of Curacao, labored to break down a disciplined and compact Paraguayan defensive structure. Nagelsmann had handed Deniz Undav his first start of the tournament — the Stuttgart striker having contributed three goals from the bench in the opening two group-stage matches — but the forward could make little impression, floating one effort harmlessly wide.
Havertz Levels, but Gill Stands Firm
Germany returned from the break with greater urgency, introducing Leon Goretzka at halftime. The injection of energy proved decisive midway through the second half when Florian Wirtz cut inside from the left and delivered a precise cross that Havertz redirected into the far corner with a deft glance — his third goal of the tournament — drawing Germany level on 54 minutes.
Paraguay lost Enciso to injury shortly afterward, removing their primary attacking outlet, and the momentum appeared to swing decisively toward Germany. Yet Gill, outstanding throughout, reacted sharply to claw away a goalbound header from Havertz as the clock wound down, forcing the match into extra time.
The drama was not yet finished. Tah believed he had won it with a powerful header from Nathaniel Brown’s looping corner delivery, but VAR intervened, ruling out the goal for a foul by Waldemar Anton on Gill. Anton himself headed straight at the goalkeeper from a subsequent corner as Germany piled on pressure through set pieces that Paraguay stoically repelled.
Shootout Heartbreak for Germany
The penalty shootout that followed was a nerve-shredding affair, with the momentum shifting with each kick. Gill proved the difference, denying both Havertz and Woltemade, before Tah stepped up with the chance to keep Germany alive and sent his effort sailing high over the crossbar.
Canale stepped forward and drilled his penalty into the net, sparking wild celebrations among the Paraguayan players and coaching staff.
Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro, who had urged his players ahead of the match to seize “the opportunity of a lifetime,” was visibly emotional afterward.
“These players are warriors,” Alfaro said. “I told them to believe, and they believed. This is for our country.”
France Awaits
Paraguay’s reward for the most significant result in their World Cup history is a potential quarterfinal matchup with France, should Les Bleus defeat Sweden in their round-of-32 tie — a daunting prospect for a squad that relied heavily on defensive resolve and a goalkeeping masterclass to advance.
For Germany, the defeat adds another painful chapter to a recent history of tournament underachievement. Having last lifted the World Cup in 2014, Monday’s exit in Foxborough represents their earliest departure from a major tournament in years, and will inevitably prompt searching questions about the direction of German football in the months ahead.
Miguel Almiron, recalled to the Paraguay lineup after serving a one-match suspension — having become the first player sent off under new FIFA rules prohibiting players from covering their mouths during on-field confrontations — played a key role in an orchestrated, disciplined team performance that will be spoken of for generations in Asunción.
Germany’s wait for glory goes on.
