Paraguay shocks Germany, sends four-time World Cup champions home

News Update

Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to secure a historic place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, eliminating the four-time champions after a resilient defensive display and a dramatic shootout.

Germany completely controlled the ball from the opening whistle, passing heavily but failing to break through a highly disciplined, defensive Paraguay team. Germany completely dominated possession with 78% compared to Paraguay’s 22%. Despite having very little of the ball, Paraguay nearly scored in the second minute when a corner kick forced a sharp save from German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Paraguay opened scoring in the 42nd minute through Julio Enciso. The goal originated from a corner kick delivered by Miguel Almirón, which German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer aggressively punched away out of his box.

However, the German defense failed to clear their lines, allowing Paraguay to quickly regain possession and recycle the ball back out to Almirón on the right flank. The playmaker executed a clever reverse pass to find Matías Galarza, who instantly delivered a pinpoint cross into the penalty area. Emerging perfectly through the traffic, Enciso met the ball cleanly to power his clinical header past Neuer into the back of the net.

Kai Havertz scored the equalizer for Germany in the 53rd minute, through an assist from Florian Wirtz who played a low pass through Paraguay’s defense, Havertz made a well-timed run and calmly shot past Orlando Gill. Making the score leveled to 1-1.

Both teams continued to match each other’s intensity and defensiveness, but neither were able to get a winner before stoppage time, as well as added time, extending the match into penalties.

In the shootout, Germany struggled as Havertz, Nick Woltemade, and Jonathan Tah all missed their targets. After Paraguay failed on two attempts of their own, defender José Canale successfully converted the decisive, life-or-death penalty to send Paraguay into the Round of 16, winning the shootout 4-3.

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This historic victory advances Paraguay to the World Cup Round of 16 for a matchup against France. By eliminating Germany, Paraguay secures their first knockout-stage win since 2010 and establishes themselves as the tournament’s biggest underdog story.