Paraguay produced one of the biggest upsets of the FIFA World Cup after eliminating Germany 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in their Round of 32 clash in Foxborough on Monday.
The dramatic victory marked the first time Germany has ever lost a penalty shootout at a FIFA World Cup.
Paraguay stunned the four-time world champions by taking the lead before halftime through Julio Enciso, who headed home to silence the German supporters.
Germany responded after the break as Kai Havertz scored his third goal of the tournament, restoring parity in the 54th minute and forcing the contest into extra time.
Both sides failed to find a decisive goal during the additional period, although Germany thought they had completed the comeback through Jonathan Tah.
However, Tah’s powerful header was ruled out after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review determined that Waldemar Anton had committed a foul on Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill in the build-up.
The match eventually went to penalties, where both teams experienced moments of tension as the advantage repeatedly changed hands.
Gill emerged as Paraguay’s hero by saving spot-kicks from Havertz and Nick Woltemade, although his teammates initially failed to capitalise after missing two opportunities to seal victory.
The decisive moment finally arrived when Jose Canale converted Paraguay’s winning penalty after Tah fired Germany’s final attempt over the crossbar.
The result condemns Germany to another disappointing World Cup campaign despite reaching the knockout stage for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2014.
For Paraguay, the victory ranks among the greatest achievements in the country’s World Cup history and sends them into the next round, where they could face France if Les Bleus overcome Sweden.
Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann made notable changes to his starting lineup, handing Deniz Undav his first start of the tournament after the striker scored three goals in his previous substitute appearances.
Nathaniel Brown also returned at left-back after missing the defeat to Ecuador as a precaution following a minor injury.
Paraguay welcomed back captain Miguel Almiron after serving a one-match suspension. He became the first player to be sent off under FIFA’s new regulations for covering his mouth during an on-field confrontation.
Inspired by coach Gustavo Alfaro’s call to seize a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Paraguay nearly opened the scoring within the opening minute.
Junior Alonso found space at the far post from a corner kick but failed to beat veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Germany, who had impressed with a 7-1 victory over Curacao earlier in the tournament, struggled to break down Paraguay’s disciplined defensive setup throughout the opening half.
Undav came close with an effort that drifted wide before Germany’s defensive organisation collapsed shortly before halftime.
After Neuer punched away an initial corner, Paraguay recycled possession, with Matias Galarza delivering a dangerous cross from the right that found an unmarked Enciso, who powered his header into the net.
The goal was Paraguay’s first ever in a World Cup knockout match after failing to score in their previous five knockout appearances, including a 1-0 defeat to Germany in the Round of 16 at the 2002 World Cup.
Germany introduced Leon Goretzka at halftime in an attempt to spark a comeback but almost conceded again when Joshua Kimmich’s misplaced backpass forced Neuer into a desperate intervention to deny Enciso a second goal.
The equaliser eventually arrived when Florian Wirtz drifted in from the left flank and delivered an inviting cross that Havertz expertly guided into the far corner.
Paraguay suffered a setback when goalscorer Enciso was forced off through injury, reducing their attacking threat as Germany increased the pressure.
Gill produced another outstanding save to deny Havertz’s powerful header before Germany continued to dominate possession and create chances.
Anton later directed another header straight at Gill from a corner, but Paraguay resisted Germany’s aerial bombardment and held their nerve during the penalty shootout to secure a famous victory and eliminate one of football’s traditional powerhouses.
