Paraguay knock Germany out of World Cup on penalties in historic upset

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Paraguay knock Germany out of World Cup on penalties in historic upset
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Paraguay stunned four-time world champions Germany 4-3 on penalties on Monday to advance to the World Cup round of 16 in one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history, after the teams were tied 1-1 over 120 minutes in Foxborough, Massachusetts . The result marked Germany’s first-ever elimination from a World Cup penalty shootout and their third consecutive early exit from the tournament, following group-stage departures in 2018 and 2022 .
Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill emerged as the hero, making two decisive saves during the shootout and preserving his team’s nerve as José Canale converted the decisive penalty in sudden death . Germany, despite dominating possession and creating more chances, saw Kai Havertz equalize in the 90th minute after Julio Enciso had put Paraguay ahead, but three missed penalties—by Havertz, Niclas Füllkrug, and Jonathan Tah—sealed their fate .
The defeat has intensified scrutiny on German manager Julian Nagelsmann, whose side’s struggles continued a pattern of underperformance that has left fans and pundits questioning the team’s direction . “This German team is clearly too weak,” wrote *Die Welt*, while *The Guardian* described the result as “seismic,” noting that Germany’s penalty shootout record at the World Cup now stands at zero wins and one loss .
Paraguay’s victory triggered national celebrations, with President Santiago Peña declaring a public holiday and praising the team’s resilience . “This is a privilege—we knocked out a champion,” said Gill, whose heroics in goal have been hailed as the defining moment of the upset .
Germany’s exit leaves a significant void in the tournament, as the four-time champions depart without winning a single knockout match for the third straight World Cup. Their next opponent, Paraguay, will now face either France or Sweden in the round of 16, with the South Americans poised to carry the momentum of their historic triumph into the next stage .
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