Paraguay pulled off one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history on Monday, eliminating four-time champions Germany 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw following 120 minutes of football.
Jose Canale calmly converted the decisive spot-kick to send Paraguay into the Round of 16, sparking jubilant celebrations among the South American side. They will now face either France or Sweden for a place in the quarter-finals.
The victory marks Paraguay’s greatest achievement at the World Cup, surpassing their previous best run to the quarter-finals in 2010. It also comes after they failed to qualify for the tournament since that campaign.
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann, the youngest coach to lead a team in the World Cup knockout stages in four decades at 38, named an attacking lineup that included tournament top scorer Deniz Undav making his first start.
Germany dominated possession from the opening whistle, with Undav threatening early as the Europeans pinned Paraguay deep inside their own half. Despite controlling the game, Germany failed to register a single shot on target before halftime.
By the 35th minute, Germany had completed 244 passes compared to Paraguay’s 31 but still could not find a breakthrough.
Paraguay made Germany pay for their wastefulness when Miguel Almiron, returning from suspension, helped launch a swift attack down the right before Julio Enciso headed home to score Paraguay’s first-ever World Cup knockout-stage goal.
The goal sent the small contingent of Paraguay supporters into celebration, while Germany’s fans were left stunned as the favourites trailed at the break despite their overwhelming dominance.
Germany responded nine minutes into the second half when Florian Wirtz delivered a pinpoint cross for Kai Havertz, who nodded home the equaliser.
Havertz nearly completed the comeback in the 78th minute, but goalkeeper Orlando Gill denied him with an important save after another dangerous cross from Wirtz.
Germany thought they had found the winner in extra time when Jonathan Tah headed in from a corner in the 102nd minute, only for the goal to be ruled out following a lengthy VAR review for a foul on the goalkeeper.
The match was eventually decided from the penalty spot, where Germany missed three of their attempts through Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Tah. Although Paraguay also missed twice, Canale held his nerve with the decisive kick to secure a famous 4-3 shootout victory and send his country into the last 16.
