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Paraguay produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after eliminating four-time champions Germany 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time in their Round of 32 clash at Boston Stadium on Monday.
The South Americans held their nerve in the tournament’s first penalty shootout after defender José Canale converted the decisive spot-kick to send Paraguay into the last 16, where they will face either France national football team or Sweden national football team. The victory also ended Germany’s perfect World Cup penalty shootout record.
Paraguay took a surprise lead three minutes before half-time when Julio Enciso rose highest to head home from Matías Galarza’s cross, silencing the crowd and putting the underdogs on course for another famous World Cup result.
Germany responded strongly after the break and levelled in the 54th minute through Kai Havertz, who glanced in a cross from Florian Wirtz to restore parity. The Germans dominated possession for long spells and thought they had completed the comeback in extra time, only for Jonathan Tah’s header to be ruled out after VAR judged that Waldemar Anton had fouled Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill during the build-up.
With neither side able to find a winner, the contest was decided from the penalty spot. Gill emerged as Paraguay’s hero by saving penalties from Havertz and Nick Woltemade, while veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer briefly kept Germany alive by stopping one effort and watching another fly wide. However, Jonathan Tah blasted Germany’s decisive penalty over the crossbar before Canale calmly converted to seal a memorable victory.
The defeat deepens Germany’s recent World Cup struggles. After winning the tournament in 2014, the Europeans crashed out in the group stage in both 2018 and 2022 before suffering another disappointing exit in 2026. It also marked the first time Germany have lost a World Cup penalty shootout.
For Paraguay, the victory represents another milestone under coach Gustavo Alfaro. Ranked 41st in the world before the tournament, the South Americans have built their campaign on defensive discipline and resilience, qualities that once again proved decisive against one of international football’s traditional powerhouses.
