paraguay shocks germany in stunning world cup 2026 penalty shootout
The contrast couldn’t have been sharper: while Paraguay’s players celebrated wildly on the sidelines, their German counterparts huddled in stunned silence near the technical area, some burying their faces in their hands. Germany’s Nationalmannschaft was eliminated in the Round of 16 by Paraguay following a penalty shootout victory (1-1, 4-3 on penalties), marking yet another major upset in this year’s tournament.
The match itself was a stark display of Germany’s attacking struggles despite dominating possession. Paraguay’s defensive wall, anchored by captain Gustavo Gómez and José Canale, frustrated the Germans throughout regulation time. The South Americans struck first through Enciso in the 42nd minute, stunning the stadium before halftime.
Julian Nagelsmann’s single substitution at halftime (Goretzka for Nmecha) failed to spark a German response. They equalized within 10 minutes through Havertz (54′), but their inability to create clear chances persisted. Paraguay nearly secured victory in extra time when Tah’s header from a Brown corner was controversially ruled out by VAR after German appeals.
José Canale: Paraguay’s penalty hero
The decisive moment came in the shootout. After two Paraguayans had missed their initial attempts, José Canale stepped up with nerves of steel to convert his country’s fourth penalty, sending Paraguay through to face France in the next round. The central defender had been flawless in defense alongside Gómez, only conceding once to Havertz during regulation. Canale’s composure under pressure proved decisive against Germany’s varied attacking threats (Undav, Havertz, Woltemade).
Potential France-Paraguay rematch looms
Should France defeat Sweden in their upcoming match, the Bleus will face Paraguay in the Round of 16 – a potential rematch of their 1998 World Cup encounter in Lens. Aimé Jacquet’s side required extra time to overcome Paraguay then, with Laurent Blanc’s golden goal sealing their passage. This time, the stakes are even higher in a tournament already filled with surprises.