Paraguay produced one of the biggest upsets in FIFA World Cup history by eliminating four-time champions Germany 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the Round of 32 clash ended 1-1 following extra time.
Jose Canale converted the decisive penalty after Germany missed three spot-kicks, sending Paraguay into the Round of 16 where they will face either France or Sweden.
Germany’s Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah all failed to convert from the penalty spot, while Paraguay recovered from two earlier misses to complete a famous victory.
The Germans also had a Jonathan Tah header ruled out during extra time after a lengthy VAR review for a foul on the goalkeeper, leaving the contest to be decided from the spot.
Germany captain Joshua Kimmich admitted his side had only themselves to blame.
“We should not be blaming the referee or the penalty shootout today. If you cannot beat Paraguay over 120 minutes then you are deservedly eliminated. You should not depend on the opponents’ luck or no luck. You should have the quality in the squad to clearly beat this opponent.”
The defeat marked Germany’s first-ever World Cup penalty shootout loss and extended the country’s disappointing run after group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022.
Paraguay, who last reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2010 and had failed to qualify for the previous edition, celebrated one of the greatest victories in their football history.
© dfb.deCaptain Gustavo Gomez praised his teammates after the match.
“I think the feeling we have is difficult to explain. I’m very proud of my teammates and of this group. Today was a match in which we had to be Paraguay more than ever.”
He added:
“I think deep down Germany knew that if they wanted to beat us, they would have to sweat blood, because we were going to make defeat very, very expensive for them.”
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who had publicly targeted a fifth World Cup title, accepted responsibility after the defeat.
“I am disappointed. It was just not enough to beat this opponent.”
He continued:
“The opponent scored once and we did not defend very well. We lost control of possession. We tried a lot of things but we should have scored earlier.”
Nagelsmann was even more critical of his team’s performance after the elimination.
“If you are eliminated by Paraguay you are just not a first-class football team. I am very disappointed.”
Nagelsmann named an attacking starting XI, handing tournament top scorer Deniz Undav his first start after the forward registered three goals and two assists during the group stage.
Germany dominated possession from the opening whistle and repeatedly pushed forward, but despite controlling the game they failed to register a shot on target in the first half.
© dfb.deBy the 35th minute Germany had completed 244 passes compared to Paraguay’s 31, yet were unable to break down a disciplined Paraguayan defence.
Paraguay executed their game plan effectively and struck against the run of play. Miguel Almiron, returning after suspension, helped launch a quick move down the right before Julio Enciso powered in a header in the 42nd minute to score Paraguay’s first-ever goal in the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup.
Small pockets of Paraguay supporters celebrated wildly as Germany’s fans fell silent.
Germany’s dominance became a statistical anomaly, with no team having completed so many more passes than their opponents in a World Cup first half while still trailing at the interval.
The equaliser arrived nine minutes after the restart when Florian Wirtz floated in a cross and Kai Havertz headed home to make it 1-1.
Germany believed they had won the match in the 102nd minute when Jonathan Tah headed in from a corner, but following a lengthy VAR review the goal was disallowed for a foul on Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Gill went on to play a decisive role in the penalty shootout, denying Havertz and Woltemade, while Tah also failed to convert.
Jose Canale then calmly slotted home the winning penalty to seal Paraguay’s place in the Round of 16 and complete one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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