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Paraguay stunned four-time FIFA world champions Germany after advancing to the last 16 after winning 4-3 on penalties on Monday in an absolutely thrilling match with a key controversial moment sprinkled throughout.
This moment came during extra time, necessary after a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes plus stoppage time between these two opponents.
Germany had dominated throughout, but Paraguay made the most of their Grade A chance in the first half when Julio Enciso scored a header in the 42nd minute. The Germans finally got on the board in the 54th minute when Kai Havertz saw his own header go into the back of the net.
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Julio Enciso of Paraguay celebrates with teammate Gustavo Gomez after scoring the team’s first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match against Germany at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, June 29, 2026. (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
From there, Germany went on the offensive, getting chance after chance, with a few players from Paraguay. But when extra time began, it was only a matter of time before Germany took another one and took the lead.
That appeared to happen when Jonathan Tah rose to his feet and smashed a header from a corner past Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill. The German faithful inside Boston Stadium went crazy, but it was short-lived after the head official went to the VAR screen to review a potential foul.
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At the corner, Germany’s Waldemar Anton appeared to obstruct Gill’s movement towards the ball and ultimately defended Tah’s header. And if he was just trying to sell his fault, it worked.
After review, the goal was disallowed and the referee explained that Anton’s actions had prevented Gill from properly having the chance to save the header.
After 30 minutes of overtime, neither team was able to break the 1-1 scoreline. As a result, the first penalty shootout of the tournament was to determine who would advance to the round of 16 and who would go home.
Things didn’t get off to a good start for Germany when Havertz approached the ball and saw Gill make a save. Maurício took advantage of this momentum and scored his first to immediately put Paraguay in a good position to win.
Both teams would each score their next two penalties before Nick Woltemade’s attempt was saved by Gill. Paraguay now had a chance to win it all, but Antonio Sanabria missed the team’s fourth penalty.
Paraguay’s Orlando Gill celebrates after Julio Enciso scored the team’s first goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match against Germany at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, June 29, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Nadiem Amiri kept Germany’s hopes alive with a successful shot on the team’s fifth attempt, but given that penalties are determined by five shots, Fabián Balbuena had the chance to win it all. However, Manuel Neuer, one of the most decorated goalkeepers in the history of football, let alone the German team, held on with a save to force another round.
With slight momentum on their side, Tah advanced towards the penalty area with the chance to score another winning goal, this time with his boot. But his attempt was miserable, belting over the crossbar and into the stands.
Paraguay, delighted after this miss, sent José Canale into the box and he did not disappoint. Neuer made a mistake and Canale slipped his shot under the bar and Paraguay celebrated as one would expect: pure joy.
This is the first time that Germany has lost on penalties at a FIFA World Cup.
Germany have been left shocked on the pitch as their journey to the 2026 World Cup draws to a close. And it’s hard not to think about what if when they appeared to have the game winner on the scoreboard only to have it taken away in a call that will certainly be debated for some time.
Paraguayan midfielder Julio Enciso celebrates his team’s first goal during the 2026 World Cup round of 16 match against Germany at Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026. (Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images)
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Meanwhile, Paraguay will now await the winner of the round of 16 between France and Sweden, which will be played on Tuesday at 5 p.m. ET at New York/New Jersey Stadium.
