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Paraguay stunned Germany, the four-time FIFA World Cup champions, to progress to the last 16 after winning 4-3 on penalties on Monday in an absolutely thrilling match with a key controversial moment sprinkled in.
That moment came in extra time, which was necessary following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes plus stoppage time between these two opponents.
Germany had dominated throughout this match, but Paraguay had made the most of their Grade-A first-half chance when Julio Enciso buried a header in the 42nd minute. However, the Germans were able to finally get on the board in the 54th minute when Kai Havertz saw his own header hit the net.
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Julio Enciso of Paraguay celebrates with teammate Gustavo Gomez after scoring the team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match against Germany at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on June 29, 2026. (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
From there, Germany were on the offensive and had chance after chance with some from Paraguay thrown in. But as extra time began, it seemed only a matter of time before Germany would pot another one and take the lead.
It looked set to happen when Jonathan Tah rose to head a corner kick past Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill. The German faithful inside the Boston Stadium went ballistic, but it was short-lived after the boss went to the VAR screen to review a potential foul.
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During the corner, Germany’s Waldemar Anton appeared to block Gill’s movement towards the ball and ultimately defend Tah’s header. And if he was simply trying to sell the mistake, it worked.
After review, the goal was disallowed and the referee explained that Anton’s actions had prevented Gill from properly getting the chance to stop the header.
After the 30 minutes of extra time, neither side was able to break the 1-1 tie. As a result, the tournament’s first penalty shootout was set to decide who would advance to the round of 16 and who would go home.
Things didn’t start on the right foot for Germany as Havertz stepped up to the ball and saw Gill make a save. Maurício used that momentum and scored his first to immediately put Paraguay in a good position to win.
Both sides would manage their next two penalties separately before Nick Woltemade’s effort was saved by Gill. Paraguay now had a chance to win it all, but Antonio Sanabria missed the team’s fourth penalty.
Orlando Gill of Paraguay celebrates after Julio Enciso scored the team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match against Germany at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on June 29, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Nadiem Amiri kept Germany’s hopes alive with a converted shot at the team’s fifth attempt, but with penalties decided by five shots, Fabián Balbuena had the opportunity to win it all. However, Manuel Neuer, one of the most decorated goalkeepers in football history, let alone Germany’s squad, went on to make a save to force a second round.
With a little momentum on their side, Tah stepped up in the penalty area with the chance to get another game-winning goal, this time with his boot. But his attempt was a poor one as he put it over the crossbar and into the stands.
Paraguay, buoyed by the miss, sent José Canale into the box and he did not disappoint. Neuer guessed the wrong way and Canale put his shot under the crossbar and Paraguay celebrated as you would expect: pure joy.
It is the first time ever that Germany have lost on penalties at the FIFA World Cup.
Germany were left shell-shocked on the pitch as their 2026 World Cup journey comes to an end. And it’s hard not to think about the what-ifs when they appeared to have the game-winner on the scoreboard, only to be taken away by a call that will surely be debated for some time.
Paraguay midfielder Julio Enciso celebrates scoring his team’s first goal of the 2026 World Cup during the Round of 16 match against Germany at Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026. (Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images)
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Meanwhile, Paraguay will now await the winner of the Round of 16 between France and Sweden, which will be played at 5pm ET on Tuesday at the New York/New Jersey Stadium.
