Hyderabad: Paraguay stunned four time champions Germany with a dramatic 4 to 3 penalty shootout victory after a 1 to 1 draw in regulation time to book their place in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday.
Germany, unbeaten in World Cup penalty shootouts before this match, suffered a heartbreaking exit despite a late fightback inspired by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Julio Enciso gave Paraguay the lead in the 42nd minute. Germany responded in the second half when Kai Havertz headed home Florian Wirtz’s cross to restore parity.
Paraguay End Germany’s World Cup Campaign
Germany thought they had taken the lead through Jonathan Tah, but the goal was ruled out after review, forcing the contest into penalties.
The shootout began poorly for Germany as Havertz missed the opening penalty, allowing Mauricio to give Paraguay the advantage. Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala converted their spot kicks to keep Germany in the contest.
Paraguay appeared set to seal victory after Matias Galarza scored and Germany’s Nick Woltemade saw his penalty saved. However, Neuer denied Antonio Sanabria before Nadiem Amiri equalised at 3 to 3.
Neuer produced another crucial save by stopping Fabian Balbuena’s effort, but Paraguay finally secured victory when Jose Canale calmly converted the decisive penalty.
The result sends Paraguay into the Round of 16, while Germany’s World Cup campaign ends in a major upset.
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