Paraguay produced the biggest upset of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after knocking Germany out of the tournament with a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout win in the Round of 32.
The match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes at Boston Stadium in Foxborough before Paraguay held their nerve in the shootout to reach the last 16 in their first World Cup appearance since 2010.
The defeat also marked Germany’s first-ever loss in a World Cup penalty shootout.
Goalkeeper Orlando Gill was the hero for Paraguay, saving penalties from Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade to put his side in control. However, Paraguay failed to convert their first two chances to win the shootout, allowing Germany to stay alive.
Manuel Neuer then saved Fabian Balbuena’s effort to force a sixth round of penalties, but Jonathan Tah sent Germany’s next attempt well over the crossbar. Jose Canale made no mistake with his spot kick, sealing a famous win for the Albirroja.
Gill had already played a key role during the match, making six saves across 120 minutes as Paraguay frustrated Germany for long spells.
Paraguay took the lead in the 42nd minute through Julio Enciso. Neuer punched away a corner, but Paraguay recycled the ball and delivered another cross into the box, where Enciso headed home.
Germany responded in the 54th minute through Havertz after Florian Wirtz cut inside on his right foot and floated a ball into the area. Havertz flicked his header into the bottom corner to bring Germany level.
Tah later thought he had completed the turnaround in extra time when he headed in from Nathaniel Brown’s right-sided corner. However, the goal was ruled out after a VAR review, with Waldemar Anton judged to have blocked Gill before the header.
The match went all the way to penalties, where Paraguay completed a historic win and kept alive hopes of matching their quarterfinal run from 2010.
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