Paraguay produced one of the biggest upsets of the FIFA World Cup by defeating Germany 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in their Round of 32 clash in Foxborough on Monday.
The South Americans held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout after extra time failed to separate the two sides, eliminating the 2014 world champions from the tournament.
Julio Enciso gave Paraguay a surprise first-half lead, heading home shortly before the interval after Matias Galarza’s cross found him unmarked inside the penalty area.
Germany responded strongly after the break and restored parity in the 54th minute when Kai Havertz headed home Florian Wirtz’s cross for his third goal of the tournament.
The Germans dominated much of the second half and extra time but were repeatedly frustrated by Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who produced a series of crucial saves to keep his side in the contest.
Jonathan Tah appeared to have given Germany the lead during extra time with a powerful header, but the goal was ruled out following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, which adjudged Waldemar Anton to have fouled the goalkeeper in the build-up.
The match proceeded to a tense penalty shootout, where momentum swung repeatedly between both teams.
Gill saved spot-kicks from Havertz and Nick Woltemade, while Paraguay missed two opportunities to seal victory before Jose Canale converted the decisive penalty after Tah blasted Germany’s final kick over the crossbar.
The defeat marked another disappointing World Cup campaign for Germany, whose first appearance in the knockout rounds since lifting the trophy in 2014 ended in an early exit.
For Paraguay, the victory ranks among the nation’s greatest achievements at the World Cup and sends Gustavo Alfaro’s side into the last 16, where they are set to face either France or Sweden.
Earlier in the match, Germany struggled to break down Paraguay’s disciplined defence despite dominating possession, while Enciso’s goal represented Paraguay’s first in a World Cup knockout match after failing to score in their previous five appearances at that stage.
Although Germany mounted sustained pressure after the interval and throughout extra time, Paraguay defended resolutely before completing a memorable victory from the penalty spot.
