Paraguay stuns Germany on penalties to reach the Round of 16 for the first time since 2010
Orlando Gill saved two spot-kicks and Jose Canale scored the winner as Paraguay won 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Gillette Stadium, eliminating Germany in what became their first ever World Cup penalty shootout defeat
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Summary
Paraguay eliminated Germany from the 2026 Fifa World Cup on penalties at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, winning 4-3 on spot-kicks after a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes. Julio Enciso headed Paraguay in front from a first-half penalty; Kai Havertz levelled for Germany in the 54th minute with his third goal of the tournament. In extra time, a Jonathan Tah goal was disallowed by VAR, which ruled that Waldemar Anton had fouled goalkeeper Orlando Gill during the move. In the shootout, Gill saved from both Havertz and Nick Woltemade, Tah blazed over the bar, and Jose Canale converted the winner. It is Germany's first penalty shootout defeat in World Cup history across eight previous attempts.
Why it matters
Paraguay reach the World Cup last 16 for the first time since 2010. Germany's exit in the round of 32 is only the second time the four-time champions have fallen at this stage under the expanded format, and the shootout record, which stood across 72 years, underlines how completely this tournament has already reorganised the assumed hierarchy between European heavyweights and South American challengers.
What to watch
- Paraguay face France in the Round of 16 on July 4 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, after France defeated Sweden 3-0 on June 30 with Mbappe scoring twice.
- Whether Germany's Football Association accelerates the post-tournament rebuild of Nagelsmann's squad.
- The VAR ruling on the disallowed Tah goal will draw review from football's governance bodies.