Germany suffered one of the most stunning upsets in World Cup history when underdogs Paraguay knocked them out of the 2026 tournament in the Round of 32 with a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout victory following a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The match remained a tense, low-scoring battle that showcased Paraguay’s disciplined defense against Germany’s attacking reputation. Paraguay grabbed the lead in the first half when Julio Enciso headed home unmarked from a set piece, catching the Germans off guard with some shaky defending.
Kai Havertz equalized for Germany, but despite controlling much of the possession and creating more opportunities, the four-time world champions could not break through in regular time or extra time. A controversial VAR decision disallowed a Jonathan Tah header during extra time, heightening the tension.
The contest reached its climax in the penalty shootout, where Germany endured their first-ever World Cup defeat from the spot. Paraguay’s goalkeeper Orlando Gill delivered key saves, and José Canale converted the winning sudden-death penalty. Some hesitation among German players before Tah’s miss ultimately sealed their elimination.
The result sent ripples across the football world. Paraguay, ranked much lower and viewed as longshots after their group stage struggles, advanced to the Round of 16 for a historic first knockout-stage triumph, prompting their president to declare a national holiday in celebration.
For Germany, it represented yet another early tournament exit, sparking intense criticism of coach Julian Nagelsmann and highlighting the team’s recent struggles, with former stars like Jürgen Klinsmann labeling the performance an embarrassment.
This seismic upset stands among the greatest in modern World Cup knockout history. It demonstrated how a resolute, deep-lying Paraguay could exploit the lottery of penalties against a side long dominant in such scenarios.
While Paraguay fans celebrated wildly, German supporters confronted the bitter reality of another major disappointment, further cementing the 2026 World Cup’s legacy of drama and surprises.