Paraguay pulled off one of the biggest shocks of the World Cup, knocking out Germany on penalties at Gillette Stadium after a tense 1-1 draw in 120 minutes in Foxborough.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side dominated by almost every metric but couldn’t find a way through, and the Paraguayans pulled off an all-time upset that ended with a Jose Canale spot-kick to settle the shootout 4-3.
Germany controlled the ball from the first whistle but found Gustavo Alfaro’s well-drilled side a stubborn obstacle, with chances rationed in a flat first period.
Then came the punch before the break.
The first goal in the knockout round for Paraguay and it’s a great goal against Germany, scored with a great header from Julio Enciso and a good assist from Matias Galarza.
Nagelsmann reacted at the interval and the answer came just after the hour mark. Germany equalized as a lovely ball from Wirtz curled into the box before being handled by Havertz.
Florian Wirtz’s delivery was sublime, marking his third assist of the tournament and dragging the four-time champions back into a contest they had threatened to dominate without reward.
Germany thought they had been beaten in extra time, only for VAR to intervene. Jonathan Tah headed home from a corner, but after a review the goal was ruled out as Waldemar Anton was deemed to have obstructed goalkeeper Gill.
Orlando Gill was the wall Germany couldn’t break, repelling everything thrown at him as the chances mounted. Havertz had a great chance to make it 2-1 but Gill made a key save to deny the German striker.
The numbers told a story of relentless but fruitless pressure. Germany controlled the game, outshooting Paraguay 21-7 and holding them to a 6-3 shot on goal record, with Gill making six saves while Manuel Neuer was called upon for just two.
In the shootout, the drama varied wildly, with Kai Havertz, Niclas Woltemade and finally Tah missing from twelve yards for Germany after Kimmich, Musiala and Nadiem Amiri had all converted.
Neuer kept the side breathing with a save from Fabian Balbuena and Antonio Sanabria spurned a chance to win it, but Canale held his nerve to slot Albirroja through.
It’s a remarkable result for Paraguay, who finished third in Group D and are back in the last 16 in their first World Cup campaign in 16 years, having claimed the scalp they craved.
For Germany, who topped Group E with six points, it’s a stinging early exit that exposes weaknesses in attack that lingered over from their group-stage stumble against Ecuador.
Alfaro’s side go through to the last 16, leaving Nagelsmann to reflect on a dominant display undone by missed chances, a disallowed goal and the relentless penalty shootout.
