Paraguay Stuns Germany in Historic Penalty Shootout

TDT | Manama

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Paraguay pulled off a monumental World Cup upset by eliminating Germany in the last 32, winning 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw on Monday. The defeat marks the first time in football history that Germany has ever lost a penalty shootout at a World Cup.

The South American side took a shock lead before half-time when an unmarked Julio Enciso headed home a cross from Matias Galarza. Germany leveled things up in the 54th minute through Kai Havertz, who glanced in a cross from Florian Wirtz for his third goal of the tournament. Germany pushed for a winner, but Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill reacted sharply to claw away another Havertz header, pushing the game into extra time.

Drama peaked in the extra period when Jonathan Tah thought he had put Germany ahead with a powerful back-post header. However, the goal was disallowed after a VAR review ruled that Waldemar Anton had fouled the goalkeeper.

In a wild, nerve-jangling shootout where momentum swung back and forth, Gill became the hero by saving penalties from both Havertz and Nick Woltemade. Though his teammates blew two separate chances to win the shootout, Jose Canale blasted in the decisive spot-kick after Tah blazed his own effort over the bar.

The victory marks Paraguay's first-ever goal and win in a World Cup knockout stage, erasing memories of their 1-0 defeat to Germany at the same stage in 2002. Gill described the triumph as "an immense thrill," dedicated the win to all Paraguayans, and noted that the team had meticulously analyzed every detail of Germany's penalty takers.

For Germany, it is another premature exit from the global showpiece, cutting short their first knockout-stage appearance since winning the tournament in 2014. Julian Nagelsmann's side had advanced after a mixed group stage that included a 7-1 win over Curacao but ended with a loss to Ecuador. Nagelsmann handed Deniz Undav his first start of the match alongside a returning Nathaniel Brown, but the heavily favored Europeans ultimately struggled to break down Paraguay's compact rearguard.

Paraguay moves on to celebrate arguably the greatest win in their football history. They now face the daunting prospect of running into an in-form France in the next round, provided Les Bleus can edge past Sweden in their respective last-32 matchup.