Paraguay Stun Germany on Penalties to Knock Out Four-Time Champions
Football fans are reeling across the globe as a shocking Germany World Cup exit cements one of the biggest upsets in modern tournament history…
Germany’s World Cup misery continued as Paraguay eliminated the four-time champions 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw through extra time in the Round of 32.
Julio Enciso gave Paraguay the lead in the 42nd minute, heading home from Galarza’s cross. Germany responded nine minutes after the restart when Kai Havertz equalized with a header from a Florian Wirtz delivery.
Germany thought they had a winner in extra time, but Jonathan Tah’s goal was ruled out after a VAR check for preventing the Paraguay goalkeeper from challenging for the ball.
The shootout was a nightmare for Germany. Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade, and Tah all missed from the spot as Paraguay won 4-3. It makes history: Paraguay are the first team ever to beat Germany in a World Cup penalty shootout.
The result means Germany have failed to reach the Round of 16 in three consecutive World Cups after winning it in 2014:
🏆 2014: Won the World Cup
❌ 2018: Group Stage exit
❌ 2022: Group Stage exit
❌ 2026: Round of 32 exit
Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill was named Man of the Match for his shootout heroics.
An emotional Enciso said after the game: “Right now, I am just thinking about when I used to sit next to my grandfather on the sofa… This is the best day of my life. I dedicate this to my grandfather. He would be proud of me… I send him a kiss all the way to heaven.” 🤍
Joshua Kimmich did not hold back: “It feels terrible… We struggled badly in all three matches against teams that aren’t even world class. That’s a fact. We deserved to be eliminated… We didn’t play well against any of our opponents.”
Official: Paraguay have beaten Germany at a World Cup. Congratulations to Gustavo Alfaro and his team for a historic moment.