BOSTON — Paraguay secured one of the greatest victories in their football history on Monday, eliminating four-time world champions Germany in a dramatic penalty shootout at Boston Stadium. Following a 1-1 deadlock after 120 minutes of play, Paraguay prevailed 4-3 on penalties to book their place in the Round of 16.
4-3 Pens: Gill Saves 2 as Paraguay Knock Out Germany
• Result: Paraguay 4-3 Germany on penalties. 1-1 after 120 mins
• Goals: Enciso 42' header. Havertz 54' header. Tah 102' VAR offside
• Hero: Orlando Gill saved Havertz + Woltemade. Player of Match
• Next: Paraguay vs France/Sweden winner, July 4 Philadelphia
A Tactical Masterclass
Paraguay entered the match as significant underdogs against a German side looking to reclaim their status as global powerhouses. Despite Germany dominating possession with 78% of the ball in the first half, Julian Nagelsmann’s team struggled to break down Paraguay’s disciplined 4-5-1 formation.
La Albirroja capitalized on a rare attacking opportunity in the 42nd minute. After recycling a corner kick, Matías Galarza delivered a precise cross to Julio Enciso, who headed home to give Paraguay a shock lead just before the break. It was Paraguay’s first-ever goal in the knockout stage of a World Cup.
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Germany’s Fightback and VAR Drama
Germany responded with increased intensity in the second half. Kai Havertz leveled the match in the 54th minute, glancing a header from a Florian Wirtz cross into the back of the net. As the match progressed into extra time, Germany appeared to have found a winner in the 102nd minute when Jonathan Tah headed home from a corner. However, the goal was controversially overturned by a VAR review, which adjudged that Waldemar Anton had illegally impeded Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Penalty Shootout Heartbreak
The contest ultimately came down to penalties, a format in which Germany had historically been nearly invincible, having won four of their previous five World Cup shootouts. However, the narrative shifted as Orlando Gill emerged as the hero for Paraguay, saving spot-kicks from Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade.
Although Paraguay missed two opportunities to clinch the win during the shootout, Germany’s Jonathan Tah ultimately blazed his effort over the bar in sudden death. José Canale then stepped up to calmly convert the decisive penalty, sealing a 4-3 shootout victory for the South Americans.
"It is an immense thrill," said Paraguay goalkeeper and Player of the Match, Orlando Gill. "We analyzed every detail, and thank God I was able to save two penalties. This is a privilege; we eliminated a champion."
Paraguay now advances to the Round of 16, where they are scheduled to face the winner of the France vs. Sweden fixture in Philadelphia on July 4. For Germany, the defeat marks a premature exit from the 2026 tournament and the end of their long-standing reputation as masters of the penalty shootout.
