Paraguay produced one of the biggest surprises of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after they stun Germany in a dramatic Round of 32 clash.
The South American side defeated the four-time world champions in a penalty shootout after the match ended 1-1 following regular and extra time.
The result will stun football fans around the world as Germany crashed out of the tournament earlier than expected.
Paraguay held their nerve during the penalty shootout and claimed a 4-3 victory. The win secured their place in the Round of 16.
Germany missed two important penalties during the shootout. Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade both failed to score from the spot.
Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill played a key role in the victory. He made crucial saves that kept his team in the contest.
Paraguay also missed chances during the shootout. Antonio Sanabria failed to convert his penalty, while veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer saved Fabian Balbuena’s effort.
The decisive moment came in sudden death. Germany defender Jonathan Tah sent his penalty over the crossbar.
José Canales then calmly scored the winning penalty to complete the famous victory. The successful kick helped stun Germany and end their World Cup campaign.
Earlier in the match, Paraguay took the lead before halftime. Julio Enciso scored with a well-placed header in the 42nd minute.
Germany responded after the break. Florian Wirtz created the opportunity for Kai Havertz, who equalized with a header.
Both teams searched for a winner during extra time. Germany thought they had found the decisive goal through Jonathan Tah.
However, the goal was ruled out after a VAR review. Officials determined that Waldemar Anton had committed a foul on the goalkeeper during the build-up.
The decision kept the score level and forced the match into penalties.
Paraguay celebrated one of the biggest wins in its recent football history. The victory earned praise from supporters and neutral fans alike.
Germany, meanwhile, suffered a disappointing exit despite entering the tournament with high expectations.
Paraguay will now face either France or Sweden in the Round of 16. Confidence will be high after a result that managed to stun one of football’s traditional powerhouses.
The dramatic win has become one of the standout moments of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and highlights the unpredictable nature of international football.
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