Paraguay Knock Out Germany on Penalties to Reach World Cup Last 16

Paraguay have eliminated four-time world champions Germany from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, winning a dramatic penalty shootout 4-3 after the match finished 1-1 following extra time at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Boston Stadium.

Jonathan Tah blazed his spot-kick over the bar in sudden death to hand Paraguay the win, with defender Jose Canale stepping up to convert the decisive penalty and send his side through to wild celebrations.

Germany were never ahead in the shootout. Kai Havertz missed the opening kick, and Nick Woltemade was also denied by goalkeeper Orlando Gill. Paraguay twice had chances to seal it earlier, with Antonio Sanabria shooting wide and Fabian Balbuena's effort stopped by 40-year-old Manuel Neuer, but they held their nerve when it mattered.

On the pitch, Paraguay had taken a shock lead on 42 minutes when Julio Enciso, the former Brighton and Ipswich forward, timed his run to meet a clever feed from Matias Galarza and head past Neuer. It was a goal built on direct play rather than possession, with Germany dominating the ball but struggling to create clear openings in the first half.

Germany came out with more intent after the break and levelled on 54 minutes. Florian Wirtz picked out Havertz with a precise pass and the Arsenal forward steered a glancing header into the net to make it 1-1. Wirtz was Germany's most dangerous player throughout, finishing with three key passes and the assist that brought his side level.

Germany continued to push and thought they had won it in extra time when Tah headed home, but the goal was ruled out after Waldemar Anton was judged to have fouled Gill. Paraguay defended with tremendous discipline and organisation for much of the night, making 42 clearances as a team and winning 62% of all duels to keep Germany at bay.

The statistics showed how dominant Germany were in terms of possession and territory. They finished with 69% of the ball, 19 shots to Paraguay's 7, and made 97 entries into the final third. However, their crossing was largely ineffective, completing just 7 of 41 attempts, and they created only one clear big chance across the entire match.

Paraguay's goalkeeper Orlando Gill was excellent throughout, making three saves and handling set pieces confidently. In the shootout, his stops from Havertz and Woltemade proved decisive.

Paraguay will face either France or Sweden in the Round of 16 in Philadelphia on Saturday.