Germany suffered a stunning exit from the World Cup, falling to Paraguay in the last 32 after a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout defeat following a 1-1 draw in Foxborough on Monday. It was the first time Germany has ever lost a World Cup penalty shootout.
Paraguay took a shock lead just before halftime when Julio Enciso headed home, but Kai Havertz equalized for Germany in the 54th minute with his third goal of the tournament. In extra time, Jonathan Tah saw a goal ruled out after a VAR review, and the match ultimately headed to penalties after both sides failed to break the deadlock.
The shootout was a tense, seesaw affair. Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill made crucial saves from Havertz and Nick Woltemade, but his teammates squandered two opportunities to seal victory. Finally, Jose Canale fired home the winning spot-kick after Tah had sent his effort over the bar, sealing a famous win for Paraguay and another premature World Cup departure for Germany, who were playing their first knockout match since lifting the trophy in 2014.
Paraguay, celebrating arguably their finest moment in World Cup history, now face a daunting potential quarterfinal against an in-form France, should Les Bleus overcome Sweden.
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann handed Deniz Undav his first start of the tournament, rewarding the Stuttgart striker’s three goals off the bench in the group stage. He replaced Jamal Musiala, while Nathaniel Brown returned at left-back after missing the Ecuador match with a minor injury. Paraguay, meanwhile, welcomed back Miguel Almiron after his one-match suspension for violating FIFA’s new rules regarding on-field conduct.
Paraguay nearly made an immediate impact, with Junior Alonso testing Manuel Neuer at the back post early on. Germany, despite their 7-1 thrashing of Curacao in the opener, struggled to break down Paraguay’s disciplined defense. Undav went close, but it was Paraguay who capitalized when Germany lost their defensive shape before halftime, allowing Enciso to head in Matias Galarza’s cross—Paraguay’s first-ever goal in a World Cup knockout match.
Germany, toothless in the first half, introduced Leon Goretzka at the break but almost conceded again when an under-hit Joshua Kimmich backpass forced Neuer into a desperate save. Havertz finally broke Paraguay’s resistance, glancing in a Florian Wirtz cross to restore parity.
Enciso’s injury deprived Paraguay of their main attacking threat, and it seemed only a matter of time before Germany’s pressure would pay off. However, Gill produced a brilliant save to deny Havertz a second, and Paraguay held firm to force extra time.
Tah thought he had won it for Germany with a powerful header from Brown’s corner, but VAR ruled it out for a foul by Waldemar Anton on the goalkeeper. Anton then headed straight at Gill as Germany continued to press, but Paraguay’s defense held strong before triumphing in the nerve-jangling shootout to complete one of the World Cup’s great upsets.
