Paraguay eliminated Germany from the World Cup on penalties for the first time ever, delivering one of the greatest upsets in history on football’s grandest stage to secure a place in the Round of 16.
The 2014 champions were excessively sluggish in their attack – a noticeable difference compared to their rivals who capitalized on every opportunity to counter with intent – and they were punished for terrible defending that allowed Enciso to have a free header to score first.
Kai Havertz replied with a deft header over Orlando Gill, marking his third goal of the competition, while Jonathan Tah’s strong header in extra time was disallowed after VAR determined that Waldemar Anton had obstructed the goalkeeper.
After a stunning display defensively, José Canale fired his penalty into the net, leading to Germany’s first-ever loss in a World Cup shootout and, according to FIFA’s rankings, resulting in the tournament’s third-largest upset.
Manuel Neuer was tested just two minutes in to block Júnior Alonso’s attempt on goal after receiving Julio Enciso’s corner unmarked at the back post, which turned out to be a rare first-half opportunity for Paraguay.
Julian Nagelsmann’s team faced frustration from the South Americans, who maintained all 11 players behind the ball to limit the space between the lines, leaving them with hardly anything to utilize except for a missed chance from 20 yards by Florian Wirtz.
Germany frequently bore responsibility for their own dissatisfaction, committing numerous fouls—especially against former Newcastle winger Miguel Almirón, who frequently spearheaded Paraguay’s attacks from the defensive zone—that hampered an already dull match.
Paraguay responded effectively by utilizing the width and secured just their second corner with five minutes remaining before first-half stoppage, thanks to Almirón’s strong run toward the byline on the right.
Damián Bobadilla made a vital intervention to stop the Germans from launching a counterattack from the set piece, then Almirón located Matías Galaza on the overlap, allowing Enciso to have an excessive amount of space to nod the cross past Neuer.
Neuer saved Germany once more after halftime when Enciso seized on Joshua Kimmich’s back pass to his goalkeeper, using his legs to block the ball from slipping past him.
His team injected a dose of directness into their attacking play six minutes before the hour and eventually took the lead when Havertz connected with Wirtz’s swift cross using a glancing header to steer it into the net for the equalizer.
Gill was resolute not to be outdone by Havertz again and dove to the left to block his shot from six yards after the same sequence of a Wirtz cross connecting with the head of the Arsenal striker.
José Canale maintained his impressive defensive efforts into extra time, making two crucial blocks to thwart substitute Nick Woltemade twice, along with Kimmich from distance, bringing the 29-year-old’s total to 23 defensive contributions for the game.
He was substituted in the eighth minute of extra time, right when Jonathan Tah squandered a significant opportunity to score with a header from another left-wing cross at the back post, much to the frustration of his coach, who was grimacing in his chair.
However, the Bayern Munich defender seized his following chance, jumping highest to direct a powerful header over Gill and into the goal, but VAR overturned Jalal Jayed’s on-field call after deciding that Anton obstructed the goalkeeper before Tah scored.
Substitute Jamal Musiala may have been lucky to avoid a red card after charging into Carrales at full speed in Paraguay’s left back area to settle a prior clash, receiving a yellow card as Germany neared penalties.
Anton then squandered a golden opportunity to redeem himself for his foul on the goalkeeper, directing his header directly at Gill, who stood still in the center of his goal, while Galaza was fortunate to stay on the field after a foul on Havertz from 30 yards away.
Gustavo Alfaro’s team had brought Germany to a penalty shootout. Havertz stepped up first and went from hero to zero, with Gill diving left and saving the initial penalty, while Paraguay’s scorer Gazala maintained his composure to keep his team ahead at 3-1.
Paraguay’s outstanding goalkeeper made another incredible save against Nick Woltemade, yet Antonio Sanabria and F. Balbuena both failed to convert their penalties that could have advanced Paraguay.
Believing he had brought Germany close to securing a place in the round of 16, Tah poorly struck his penalty, soaring it over the crossbar and granting Paraguay their third chance to create history.
Canale scored his penalty decisively, leading to Germany’s exit from yet another World Cup with their first loss in a shootout on football’s grandest platform.
