Paraguay eliminated Germany from the 2026 World Cup in the Round of 32, winning 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts. Orlando Gill, the Albirroja goalkeeper, saved spot-kicks from Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade, before José Canale converted the decisive sixth penalty. The result, combined with Morocco’s shootout victory over the Netherlands earlier the same day, marked the first time two teams ranked inside FIFA’s top ten had been knocked out in the opening knockout round of the tournament.

Julio Enciso had given Paraguay the lead in the first half, heading in a cross after a rapid counter-attack. Havertz levelled nine minutes after the restart, glancing a delivery past Gill. Germany dominated possession and created the clearer chances thereafter, and thought they had won it in the 102nd minute when Jonathan Tah headed home a corner. Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed, however, disallowed the goal after a VAR review showed Waldemar Anton obstructing Gill. The match went to penalties, where Germany’s perfect World Cup shootout record — four wins from four — was broken.

Viewed from European capitals, the exit deepens a pattern of underperformance for Die Mannschaft. Since winning the 2014 title, Germany have failed to win a knockout tie at a World Cup, suffering group-stage eliminations in 2018 and 2022. Analysts in London note that the defeat was their first in a World Cup penalty shootout, and only their second in any major tournament after the 1976 European Championship final. South American observers, meanwhile, framed the result as a vindication of Paraguay’s defensive resilience and the tactical approach of Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro, who described the performance as “the biggest victory of my life” and praised his players as “26 warriors who left as legends.”

Alfaro, who previously led Ecuador at the 2022 tournament, acknowledged that his side had to “resist” and that the heavy opening loss to the United States had been a necessary learning experience. He singled out Canale, a late defensive replacement, for playing with the composure of a veteran. The coach also warned against overvaluing the win, insisting that further sacrifice would be required to progress.

Paraguay, back at the World Cup after a 16-year absence, will face the winner of France versus Sweden in the Round of 16 on 4 July in Philadelphia. Germany’s early departure, alongside that of the Netherlands, ensures that the 2026 knockout phase begins with a reshaped field and the absence of two traditional European powers.