Germany 1-1 Paraguay (3-4 pence): Julio Enciso opened the scoring for Paraguay before Kai Havertz equalized in the penalty shoot-out before the Arsenal striker went wide.
Paraguay celebrates after eliminating Germany from World Cup (Image: Getty Images)
Germany suffered a shocking defeat to Paraguay in a penalty shootout in the last 32 and was eliminated from the World Cup.
Arsenal striker Kai Havertz and Newcastle’s Nick Waltemade both missed shots from 12 yards out, and Paraguay’s Jose Canale scored to send his team into the last 16.
Germany won all four of their penalty shootouts at the last World Cup, converting 17 of 18 spot kicks in the process. Paraguay’s brave defense frustrated Germany throughout, and the match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.
Paraguay were forced into a corner kick in the first minute and then had an early warning shot. The ball fell to Junior Alonso who hit the back post but was unable to get any meaningful connection as he shot towards goal.
From there Germany dominated possession but struggled to convert clear chances. And it was paid in the second half of the first period.
Paraguay broke the ball and earned a corner kick, which Manuel Neuer punched away. The South American team returned possession to the right, with former Thun star Miguel Almiron playing a reverse pass to Matias Galarza.
His cross was met by former Brighton and Ipswich forward Julio Enciso, who fired a header into the back of the net from 12 yards out, scoring Paraguay’s first goal in the World Cup finals.
Germany came out with more purpose after the break and the pressure was felt after just nine minutes. Havertz met Liverpool star Florian Wirtz’s pinpoint cross from deep and flicked his header into the bottom corner.
Julio Enciso gives Paraguay the lead (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Wirtz again gave Havertz the chance to take the lead, but the Gunners hitman could only head straight at Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gil.
Germany had 76% possession for 90 minutes but had just three shots on target.
Seven minutes into extra time, Woltemade’s shot from close range was blocked by the elbow of Paraguay defender Gustavo Gomez, calling for a penalty kick. However, VAR determined that his arm was in a natural position and close by.
Moments later, the Germans thought they had won when Jonathan Tarr’s bullet header from Nathaniel Brown’s corner-kick found the back of the net. However, VAR sent a screen to the referee, who agreed that Waldemar Anton had fouled goalkeeper Gil, causing controversy.
Kai Havertz runners-up for Germany (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Paraguay had two chances when Havertz missed Germany’s first penalty and Woltemade did the same. However, Antonio Sanabria sent his penalty wide and Neuer denied former West Ham defender Fabian Balbuena.
This forced sudden death, but Julian Nagelsmann’s side’s tar went over the bar and Canale sealed a famous victory for underdogs Paraguay.
They will now face the winner of France vs Sweden in the last 16.
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