Paraguay shock Germany on penalties to reach historic FIFA World Cup round of 16

Paraguay produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by eliminating four-time champions Germany 4-3 on penalties after a dramatic 1-1 draw following extra time at Boston Stadium on Monday night.

The South Americans, ranked 41st in the world, displayed extraordinary performance to challenge a German side that dominated possession but lacked the cutting edge needed to break down Gustavo Alfaro’s well-organised team.

The victory sent Paraguay into the Round of 16, where they will face either France or Sweden.

Germany entered the knockout clash as overwhelming favourites after topping Group E, while Paraguay had squeezed into the last 32 as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.

However, rankings and pre-match expectations counted for little as La Albirroja executed their game plan to perfection.

Julian Nagelsmann's men controlled nearly 80 percent of possession during the first half and repeatedly pushed forward, but Paraguay’s compact defensive shape limited them to few clear-cut opportunities.

Goalkeeper Orlando Gill inspired confidence behind an outstanding back line marshalled by captain Gustavo Gómez and José Canale.

Despite Germany’s territorial dominance, Paraguay struck against the run of play in the 42nd minute.

After Miguel Almirón’s corner was only partially cleared, Matías Galarza delivered a teasing cross into the area where Julio Enciso timed his run perfectly to head beyond veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and give the underdogs a shock lead.

Germany responded with greater urgency after the interval and restored parity nine minutes into the second half.

Florian Wirtz produced an inviting cross from the left, and Kai Havertz glanced a clever header into the bottom corner for his third goal of the tournament.

The equaliser sparked relentless German pressure, but Paraguay refused to buckle.

Gill produced a string of vital saves, while Canale, Gómez and Junior Alonso threw themselves into countless blocks and clearances to keep the score level.

Germany believed they had completed the comeback during extra time when Jonathan Tah powered home a header from a corner, only for the goal to be ruled out following a VAR review that judged Waldemar Anton had impeded Gill inside the six-yard box.

With neither side able to find a decisive goal, the contest was settled from the penalty spot.

The shootout began disastrously for Germany as Gill denied Havertz.

Although Antonio Sanabria later missed for Paraguay and Neuer saved Fabián Balbuena’s effort to restore German hopes, Nick Woltemade’s penalty was brilliantly stopped by Gill before Jonathan Tah blazed over the crossbar with the scores tied.

Centre-back José Canale calmly stepped up to convert the decisive penalty, sending Neuer the wrong way and sparking jubilant celebrations among the Paraguayan players and supporters.

For Germany, the defeat marked a bitter end to their campaign and their first-ever World Cup elimination via a penalty shootout.

Paraguay, meanwhile, celebrated one of the greatest victories in their football history, reaching the World Cup Round of 16.

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