Paraguay pulled off a stunning upset in the 2026 World Cup, defeating Germany 4-3 in a penalty shootout. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with Paraguay’s José Canale scoring the winning penalty kick in sudden death.
Match Details
Paraguay took the lead in the 42nd minute when Julio Enciso scored on a header. Germany equalized in the 52nd minute with a goal from Kai Havertz. The match remained tied until the penalty shootout, where Paraguay’s Orlando Gill made two key saves to secure the win.
The victory marked a major triumph for Paraguay, a landlocked South American country of 7 million people. It was also a surprising exit for Germany, a four-time World Cup champion that has struggled in recent tournaments.
Reaction
Paraguayans celebrated in the streets, screaming and hugging each other in joy. The team’s victory was seen as a major upset, with Paraguay entering the match as the underdog. Germany, on the other hand, was left to ponder its early exit from the tournament.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
