Paraguay’s Orlando Gill plunged to his left to repel Nick Woltemade’s penalty, then watched Jonathan Tah blaze over the bar moments later, sealing a 4-3 shootout victory that eliminated four-time champions Germany from the 2026 World Cup. The 1-1 draw after 120 minutes at Gillette Stadium had already been a feat of endurance for the South Americans, who took a first-half lead through Julio Enciso’s strike before Kai Havertz levelled early in the second period. But the night belonged to the 1.99-metre goalkeeper, who had earlier saved from Havertz in the same sequence and made six crucial interventions during open play to keep his side alive.

Gill’s performance was the culmination of a rapid rise that has captivated observers in Buenos Aires, where he has become the undisputed starter for San Lorenzo de Almagro. Arriving from Paraguay’s modest Sportivo San Lorenzo in 2024, he spent months in the reserves before injuries to senior keepers opened a path. The Argentine club later paid $500,000 for half of his economic rights, a sum that now appears a bargain. His domestic form — 28 clean sheets in 53 appearances — earned a national-team debut under Gustavo Alfaro, and he entered the tournament as one of the competition’s busiest shot-stoppers.

In Asunción, the victory is being framed as a moment of personal vindication. Gill had been publicly criticised by former Paraguay great José Luis Chilavert, who claimed the young keeper “plays mute” and lacks communication. The response came on the pitch, and afterwards Gill dedicated the win to a seriously ill nephew, saying he had promised to be the man of the match for him. His wife later revealed on social media that the family had once sold his playing kit and even his under-20 national-team jersey to cover medical bills for their son, a backstory that has deepened the emotional resonance of the triumph.

Germany, who had never lost a World Cup penalty shootout in four previous attempts, dominated possession and created enough chances to settle the tie before the shootout. Havertz’s equaliser and a disallowed goal in extra time for obstruction on the goalkeeper kept the contest on a knife-edge. Yet Gill’s reading of the German takers — he later credited detailed analysis of each opponent — proved decisive. The result sends Paraguay into a round-of-16 meeting with the winner of France versus Sweden, while Germany’s earliest exit in decades will prompt soul-searching across the European football establishment.