Paraguay stuns Germany with 4-3 penalty shootout

The early minutes of the match saw both sides take cracks onto net, with four shots in the first eight minutes of the match, two apiece.

But following that early offense, Germany really started to settle in, holding a majority of the possession in the first half.

However, Germany would only manage three to take three shots with only one being on target.

And while Germany dominated the first half, Paraguay would stun the European powerhouse with a goal in the 42nd minute, courtesy of  Julio Enciso.

The South Americans would take that one goal advantage to the half, searching for the first real “cupset” of this tournament.

Coming out of the half, Paraguay looked to take their one goal lead to full-time whistle.

But Germany made sure to take full advantage on their first shot in the second half.

A well struck pass into the box from Florian Wirtz would skip off the head of Kai Havertz and into the back of the net.

In the 78th minute a Havertz header onto net looked like it would put the Germans ahead.

But Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gil made a spectacular save to keep the game level.

However, after 90 minutes plus the allotted five minutes of stoppage-time, neither side was able to break the deadlock.

Opening the first half of extra time, Germany would find send three shots in seven minutes onto net, but all three would be blocked.

But the German pressure was relentless, and their persistence would be rewarded.

In the 102nd minute and on their 13th corner of the match, Germany would finally capitalize from a set piece.

Jonathan Tah would meet the pass from the corner at the back post, heading it onto net and in.

However, following a VAR review, it was determined that goalkeeper Gil was obstructed from making a play of the ball, nullifying the goal.

Yet another save from Gil in stoppage-time kept Paraguay level.

The first half of extra time would see the score remain at one apiece.

Neither side could find the back of the net in the second half of extra time, leading to the first penalty shootout of the 2026 World Cup.

Havertz would step up to the spot for the Germans to open the shootout, but Gil would make sure to give Paraguay an immediate advantage, keeping the strike out with a big left paw.

Maurício would take the first attempt for Paraguay, which he coolly put home.

Joshua Kimmich would deliver for the Germans, getting Gil to guess the wrong way.

But Gustavo Gómez would keep the pressure on, sending Manuel Neuer to the left and striking it right.

On Jamal Musiala’s attempt, Gil would guess the right way, but the German’s strike was true.

Matías Galarza, however, was not shaken, getting Neuer to guess wrong.

Nick Woltemade looked to make it a third successful penalty in a row, but Gil had other plans. Saving the penalty and putting Paraguay on the brink of victory.

Antonio Sanabria stepped up to the spot, knowing a successful penalty would send Paraguay to the round of 16.

But Sanabria strike would miss wide right, keeping German hopes alive.

Nadiem Amiri would score the crucial penalty to keep the shootout going, sending Gil the wrong way.

With a goal sealing a victory, Fabián Balbuena looked to send his country through.

But it would not be as Neuer made crucial save to give Germany a second life and bringing the shootout to sudden death.

Just when all momentum had seemingly shifted back towards the German sideline, Tah would sky his attempt well over the bar.

That left José Canale with arguably the biggest penalty of his life, knowing a goal would secure Paraguay’s spot in the round of 16.

And he did just that, sending Paraguay to their fourth round of 16 in the country’s history at the World Cup.

Paraguay will look to face the winner of France vs. Sweden, with their match against the winner taking place at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Follow Adrian Murillo Silva on Instagram @adrianms_official