Top Shot – Paraguay midfielder #19 Julio Enciso celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 World Cup Soccer Round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Boston Stadium in Foxboro on June 29, 2026. (Photo: Odd ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images) (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Germany suffered a crushing defeat to Paraguay in a penalty shootout in the last 32, and was eliminated from the World Cup.
Arsenal’s Kai Havertz and Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade were both dramatically removed from their spots after the match ended 1-1 after extra time.
Paraguayan defender Jose Canale emerged as the hero, even though the South American team squandered two chances to seal victory first.
It was the first time Germany had lost on penalties at a World Cup, having won all four of their previous penalty shootouts, converting 17 of 18 spot kicks along the way.
However, after a lackluster 120 minutes, they were fortunately given up and are now on their way home.
Paraguay earned a corner kick early on and almost scored. The ball fell to Junior Alonso at the far post, but he failed to make proper contact while attempting to convert.
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JUNE 29: Gustavo Gomez #15 of Paraguay celebrates with his teammates after Jose Canale #13 scores the winning penalty kick in the penalty shootout during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on June 29, 2026. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)
After that, Germany controlled possession but were unable to create many genuine scoring chances.
Their clinical failure proved costly as Paraguay attacked late in the opening period.
The inferior team received a corner kick, which Manuel Neuer punched away. The ball was spread out to the right, where Miguel Almiron played a reverse pass to Matias Galarza.
His shot was just inches from the head of former Brighton and Ipswich striker Julio Enciso, who headed the ball into the net from 12 yards to go. There is no doubt that this was a sharp comment from German coach Julian Nagelsmann just before the start of the game.
Die Mannschaft emerged after the break with a much bigger purpose.
Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz sent in a gorgeous cross from deep, and Arsenal forward Havertz’s deft flick header into the bottom corner of the goal to level the score.
FOXBORO, USA – JUNE 29: Germany’s Kai Havertz celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) in Foxboro, Massachusetts, USA on June 29, 2026 (Photo by Jose Hernandez/Anadolu, Getty Images) (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Havertz had a chance to score his second goal from the same score in the 78th minute. Wirtz drove the ball to the edge of the six-yard box, but the Gunners striker could only direct his header straight into the hands of goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Despite having 76% possession throughout the 90 minutes, Germany only had three shots on target, sending the game into extra time.
Newcastle striker Waltemade, who was brought on from the bench, fired a shot towards goal, but it hit Paraguayan defender Gustavo Gomez in the elbow. However, it was determined that the arm was in its natural position and that Gomez was too close to the shot to react.
Twelve minutes into the extra period, the pressure seemed to finally get through when Jonathan Tarr headed a shot into the net from a corner kick by Nathaniel Brown.
However, VAR intervened and the referee, after reviewing the footage, ruled that Waldemar Anton had fouled goalkeeper Gil. Contact appeared to be minimal, but the goal was disallowed.
Anton had a brilliant chance to equalize just before extra time, heading a close-range header straight into Gil’s arm. As a result, the draw was decided on penalties, with Havertz watching his attempt thwarted.
Paraguay scored the first three points before Waltemaid’s miss, giving them two chances to seal the victory.
However, Antonio Sanabria dragged the penalty wide and former West Ham defender Fabian Balbuena saved the spot-kick.
The shootout went into sudden death and Jose Canale made the decisive kick.
Paraguay will advance to the last 16 and will face either France or Sweden.
