Paraguay Stuns Germany in World Cup Shootout Upset
Paraguay Stuns Germany in World Cup Shootout: A Night of Redemption
FOXBORO – The lottery that is a World Cup shootout led to a surprising upset Monday evening at Gillette Stadium. Paraguay eliminated four-time champion Germany via penalty kicks, dumping the Group E winners out of the field in the Round of 32 on June 29.
- Result: Paraguay 1-1 Germany (4-3 on penalties)
- Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
- Date: June 29, 2026
- Attendance: 63,945
Jose Canale converted in the sixth round to make the difference as Paraguay prevailed in a 1-1 (4-3) thriller, a shocking result under summer sunshine that put the South American side on course for a date with either France or Sweden. Canale ripped a left-footed shot just under the crossbar in the right half of the net, and Germany keeper Manuel Neuer likely wasn’t making a save even if his dive was in the correct direction. That came after Jonathan Tah fired over the top and into a section of his own supporters, a dreadful miss that gave Paraguay a third chance to prevail.
Key Player Stats
| Player | Stat |
|---|---|
| Orlando Gill (Paraguay) | 2 saves in shootout, 2 crucial saves in open play |
| Julio Enciso (Paraguay) | 1 goal (42nd minute) |
| Kai Havertz (Germany) | 1 goal (54th minute), missed penalty in shootout |
| Jose Canale (Paraguay) | Decisive penalty in 6th round |
Match Highlights: A Tale of Two Halves
Germany controlled the majority of possession early, but it was Paraguay taking a shock lead in the 42nd minute. Miguel Almiron’s corner kick was beaten away by Neuer, and Germany looked to counterattack quickly. Damian Bobadilla made a critical tackle to regain possession, Juan Jose Caceres slipped Matias Galarza down the right wing and Julio Enciso ghosted in from the far side to send a header spinning past Neuer at the left post to make it 1-0.
Paraguay surrendered its advantage less than 10 minutes into the second half. Wirtz’s cross off the left found Havertz for a glancing header inside the far post and it was 1-1. Germany had more than 35 minutes to find a winner and made a number of tactical changes, with Leon Goretzka and Jamal Musiala eventually coming on to give the lineup more sharpness in attack.
Controversy and Drama in Extra Time
Germany appeared to have the winner in the first half of extra time, but referee Jalal Jayed disallowed a Tah header off a Brown corner kick after a video review. Jalal ruled Anton blocked Gill along his goal line and didn’t allow him to make a play on a ball served to the back post by Brown. That came in the 102nd minute – Paraguay moved ever closer to the shootout as a result.
“In my opinion, it was not a real foul,” Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann said via translator. “It was actually a joke that this goal was disallowed. But now we are eliminated, and we didn’t give it our best today.”
Shootout Analysis: Gill the Hero
Paraguay spurned its first two opportunities to win the shootout when Antonio Sanabria pulled a shot wide of the left post and Fabian Balbuena had his shot along the ground saved by Neuer on a lunge to his left. Germany had extended the drama leading off the fifth round when Nadiem Amiri fired into the lower right corner to make it 3-3, but Tah couldn’t do the same and became the third Germany player to come up empty against Paraguay keeper Orlando Gill.
Gill dove to his left to stop the first Germany penalty from Kai Havertz, a left-footed shot that was too close to the middle and a comfortable height for the keeper. He made a better save on Nick Woltemade in the fourth round, stretching low to his left and preserving a 3-2 lead. That shootout performance added to a strong effort through 120 minutes of regular and extra time.
What’s Next for Paraguay and Germany
Paraguay advances to the Round of 16, where they will face the winner of France vs. Sweden. For Germany, the early exit marks a stunning failure for a team that entered the tournament as one of the favorites. The defeat raises questions about the future of manager Julian Nagelsmann and the squad’s ability to perform under pressure. Paraguay, meanwhile, will look to build on this historic upset and continue their unlikely run.
Where to Watch
Fans can catch the Round of 16 match live on Fox Sports (USA), BBC (UK), and streaming platforms like FuboTV and ESPN+. In South America, the match will be broadcast on TyC Sports and DirecTV Sports. Check local listings for exact times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Paraguay upset Germany in the World Cup shootout?
Paraguay’s victory was fueled by a resilient defensive performance, a crucial early goal from Julio Enciso, and outstanding goalkeeping from Orlando Gill, who saved two penalties in the shootout. Germany’s missed chances and a disallowed goal in extra time also contributed to the upset.
What are Orlando Gill’s career penalty save stats?
Orlando Gill has a reputation as a penalty specialist. In international matches, he has saved 4 out of 12 penalties faced, a save percentage of 33.3%. His two saves in this shootout were critical to Paraguay’s advancement.
How did Germany’s disallowed goal affect the match?
The disallowed goal in the 102nd minute, ruled a foul on the goalkeeper, shifted momentum firmly in Paraguay’s favor. Germany’s frustration grew, and they were unable to find a winner in regulation or extra time, leading to the shootout.
What is Paraguay’s next match in the World Cup?
Paraguay will face the winner of France vs. Sweden in the Round of 16. The match is scheduled for July 4, 2026, at a venue to be determined.
