Paraguay pulls off massive upset to knock Germany out of 2026 World Cup

The scenes in Foxborough could not have been more different at the final whistle. On one side, the Paraguay players danced with joy in front of their bench, acknowledging the hundreds of fans celebrating in the stands. On the other, the Germany squad was a picture of devastation, with players collapsed in the technical area, faces buried in their hands. The Nationalmannschaft has been sent packing in the Round of 32, victims of a match defined by tactical struggle and a high-stakes penalty shootout that ended 1-1 (3-4 on penalties).

From the opening whistle, the game followed a predictable pattern. Germany controlled the ball with an overwhelming 80% possession, yet they looked toothless in the final third. The match often mirrored a David vs. Goliath cup tie, and it was the underdog Paraguay that broke the deadlock. Enciso stunned the stadium in the 42nd minute, putting the South Americans ahead just before the break. Julian Nagelsmann attempted to spark a comeback by introducing Goretzka for Nmecha at halftime, and the adjustment seemed to work when Havertz leveled the score in the 54th minute.

Despite the equalizer, Germany failed to truly dismantle the Paraguayan defense. Aside from a few headers by Havertz and Goretzka late in regulation, clear-cut chances were rare. Drama peaked during extra time when Tah appeared to have scored the winner from a Brown corner in the 102nd minute, only for the VAR to intervene and disallow the goal. Ultimately, the match was decided from the penalty spot, where Paraguay displayed superior composure to secure their place in the next round.

The standout: José Canale (Paraguay)

In a shootout that felt like a psychological rollercoaster, José Canale became the man of the hour. After Paraguay missed two chances to seal the victory, the central defender stepped up for the decisive kick. He remained ice-cold, firing his shot home to send his nation into the Round of 16. Beyond his penalty heroics, Canale was a rock in defense alongside captain Gustavo Gomez. Together, they neutralized a variety of German attacking threats, including Undav and Woltemade, conceding only once to Havertz throughout the entire contest.

The prospect: Paraguay awaits the Bleus

This victory sets the stage for a potential historic reunion. If France manages to overcome Sweden this Tuesday, they will face Paraguay in the Round of 16. This would be a direct echo of their famous 1998 World Cup clash in Lens. In that tournament, the French side led by Aimé Jacquet had to fight through a grueling match against the Paraguayans, eventually winning via a Laurent Blanc golden goal in extra time—a rule that has since vanished from the game.