Paraguay stuns Germany 4-3 on penalties in World Cup round of 32, advancing to last 16
Paraguay eliminated four-time champion Germany from the 2026 World Cup after a 1-1 draw and a 4-3 penalty shootout in Boston, advancing to the round of 16 in one of the tournament's biggest upsets.
Shock in Boston
Paraguay produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 World Cup, eliminating four-time champions Germany 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the round of 32 in Boston. The South Americans advanced to the last 16, while Germany suffered their earliest tournament exit in eight years and lost a World Cup penalty shootout for the first time in their history. Germany had previously won all four of their shootouts at the finals.
Defensive masterclass
Germany controlled possession from the start but found it nearly impossible to break down Paraguay’s compact defensive block. The first real chance fell to Paraguay in the second minute, when Manuel Neuer had to deny a close-range header. As the half wore on, Julian Nagelsmann’s side grew more frustrated; their passing slowed and they rarely tested Orlando Gil. Then, in the 42nd minute, Paraguay struck. A cross from the right by Galarza found Julio Enciso, who rose unmarked and headed firmly past Neuer to give the underdogs a shock lead. Germany went into the break without having seriously threatened the Paraguayan goal.
Germany’s fightback and VAR drama
The second half began with Paraguay almost doubling their lead, but Enciso’s shot was saved by Neuer after a defensive error. Germany equalised in the 54th minute when Florian Wirtz delivered a cross from the left and Kai Havertz looped a header beyond Gil. The four-time champions pushed for a winner, and Havertz came close again in the 77th minute, only for Gil to make a fine save from another header. In extra time, it looked as though Germany had completed the comeback when Jonathan Tah headed home in the 102nd minute, but referee Jayed of Morocco disallowed the goal after a VAR review, ruling that Anton had fouled the goalkeeper. German players protested, but the decision stood.
Penalty heartbreak
The shootout started badly for Germany when Gil saved Havertz’s opening kick. Mauricio, Kimmich, Gomes, Musiala and Galarza all scored to leave Paraguay ahead 3-2 after four rounds, but then Gil saved Woltemade’s effort. Neuer kept Germany alive by stopping Balbuena, and Amiri converted to make it 3-3. After Tah blazed over, Canale stepped up and fired home to secure a 4-3 victory and a place in the next round.
- 42' — Julio Enciso opens the scoring for Paraguay
- 54' — Kai Havertz equalises for Germany
- 102' — Jonathan Tah's header disallowed by VAR
- Penalty shootout begins
- Canale scores the decisive penalty, Paraguay wins 4-3
What lies ahead
Paraguay will face the winner of France versus Sweden in the round of 16. Germany head home amid a storm of criticism; local media described the result as a disaster and noted the side’s lack of attacking ideas. The tournament resumes with the remaining round-of-32 ties across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
