Paraguay held their nerve in the first penalty shootout of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to defeat Germany 4-3 after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes, knocking the four-time champions out in the Round of 32 and ending their hopes of a first knockout victory since lifting the trophy in Brazil 12 years ago.
For 120 relentless minutes, Germany threw everything at Paraguay. they dominated possession, peppered the penalty area with crosses, thought they had found a dramatic extra-time winner, and still walked away empty-handed.
The victory sends Paraguay into the Round of 16, where they will meet either France or Sweden, while Germany’s long-awaited return to the World Cup knockout stages ended in another chapter of tournament frustration.
Having failed to escape the group stage in 2018 and 2022, Julian Nagelsmann’s side had arrived in Boston hoping to begin a fresh era after topping Group E. Instead, they leave North America still searching for their first World Cup knockout victory since lifting the trophy in Rio de Janeiro in 2014.
Germany become the FIRST team ever that don’t reach the Round of 16 in THREE consecutive World Cups after winning the World Cup
Paraguay strike despite Germany’s dominance
Germany immediately took control of possession, circulating the ball confidently as Florian Wirtz, Leroy Sané and Deniz Undav searched for openings against Paraguay’s compact defensive block.
Undav squandered the first clear opening inside six minutes, dragging narrowly wide after clever build up play, while Wirtz fired over and Kai Havertz repeatedly found his route to goal blocked by determined Paraguayan defending.
Despite enjoying almost complete territorial control, Germany struggled to turn possession into genuine chances.
Paraguay, meanwhile, remained patient. their first meaningful attack arrived shortly before half-time and proved devastating.
Julio Enciso Paraguay
Matías Galarza produced an inviting cross into the penalty area and Julio Enciso rose highest to guide an excellent header beyond Manuel Neuer in the 42nd minute, silencing the German supporters and giving La Albirroja a surprise lead against the run of play.
Nagelsmann responded by introducing Leon Goretzka at the break to inject greater urgency into midfield.
Paraguay almost doubled their advantage moments after the restart when Enciso broke through again, only for the experienced Neuer to produce a superb reflex save that kept Germany alive.
Three minutes later Germany finally found the breakthrough they desperately needed.
Florian Wirtz delivered an excellent ball into the area, where Kai Havertz timed his run perfectly before steering a close-range header beyond Orlando Gill to level the contest at 1-1.
Kai Havertz – Germany
Havertz twice came close to completing the comeback with powerful headers, only for Gill to produce outstanding saves, while Leon Goretzka and Aleksandar Pavlović also saw efforts blocked as Paraguay’s defence continued to absorb relentless pressure.
Gill stands firm as Germany’s pressure grows
As the second half wore on, Germany’s dominance became overwhelming.
They finished normal time with almost four-fifths of possession and camped inside Paraguay’s half for long periods.
Joshua Kimmich dictated attacks from deep, Nathaniel Brown continually delivered dangerous crosses from the left, while Wirtz and Musiala searched tirelessly for the decisive opening.
Paraguay, however, remained organised and dangerous whenever Miguel Almirón and Enciso found space on the counter before the latter was forced off injured.
Every German attack seemed to run into another white-and-red shirt, with Gill commanding his penalty area superbly throughout.
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VAR heartbreak in extra time
Extra time followed a familiar pattern. Germany attacked relentlessly while Paraguay defended with extraordinary commitment.
Nick Woltemade, introduced late in normal time, immediately gave Germany another aerial threat, and Nagelsmann’s side increasingly relied on crosses into the box.
Their breakthrough finally appeared to arrive in the 102nd minute. Nathaniel Brown’s superb delivery found Jonathan Tah, who powered an emphatic header into the roof of the net as Germany celebrated what looked like the winning goal.
The celebrations, however, were short-lived. after a lengthy VAR review, referee Jalal Jayed ruled that Waldemar Anton had committed a foul on goalkeeper Orlando Gill during the build-up.
The goal was disallowed, leaving Germany stunned and the four-time champions continued to push.
Gill produced another magnificent save to deny Havertz’s close-range header before Anton himself headed straight at the Paraguayan goalkeeper in the closing moments. Nadiem Amiri also curled a dangerous free-kick narrowly wide during stoppage time.
Shootout drama decides unforgettable tie
The contest eventually became the first penalty shootout of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Kai Havertz saw Germany’s opening penalty brilliantly saved by Gill, but Nick Woltemade later missed after the goalkeeper guessed correctly again.
Gill Orlando saved Kai Havertz penalty
Paraguay failed to fully capitalise as Antonio Sanabria fired wide before Manuel Neuer brilliantly denied Fabian Balbuena to briefly restore German hope.
But Jonathan Tah then blasted Germany’s decisive penalty over the crossbar, handing José Canale the opportunity to settle the contest. the defender made no mistake.
Canale smashed his effort into the roof of the net before wheeling away in celebration as Paraguay completed one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.
Germany left with familiar questions
Germany arrived in North America hoping to erase the memories of consecutive group-stage eliminations. Instead, another painful World Cup exit will dominate the post-mortem.
Orlando saves Nick Voltamade penalty
They controlled possession, created the overwhelming share of chances, struck the woodwork of Paraguay’s resistance repeatedly, had an extra-time winner overturned and were denied time and again by an inspired Orlando Gill. This was a night that will live long in the nation’s football history.
Built on discipline, resilience and a fearless defensive display, Gustavo Alfaro’s side weathered Germany’s storm before holding their nerve from 12 yards to reach the Round of 16 for the first time since their memorable run to the quarterfinals in South Africa in 2010.
The dream continues for La Albirroja while Germany’s wait for another World Cup knockout victory goes on.
