Paraguay pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating four-time champions Germany 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw following extra time, securing a place in the Round of 16.

The match at Foxborough, Massachusetts, remained deadlocked after 120 minutes before goalkeeper Orlando Gill made two crucial saves in the shootout. José Canale then converted the decisive sudden-death penalty to seal Paraguay’s historic victory.

It marked the first time Germany have lost a World Cup penalty shootout. The Germans missed three of their six spot-kicks, with Jonathan Tah blasting his sudden-death attempt over the crossbar after goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had kept Germany alive by saving Fabián Balbuena’s penalty.

Germany also had a potential extra-time winner ruled out. Tah headed home from a corner in the 102nd minute, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review found Waldemar Anton had fouled Gill before the header.

Paraguay took the lead in the 42nd minute when Julio Enciso headed in a cross from Matías Galarza following a well-worked move initiated by Miguel Almirón. Germany equalized seven minutes into the second half through Kai Havertz, who redirected Florian Wirtz’s cross past Gill.

Ranked 41st by FIFA before the tournament, Paraguay frustrated Germany with a disciplined defensive display despite conceding most of the possession. The victory sends the South American side into the last 16, where they will face the winner of Tuesday’s match between France and Sweden on Saturday in Philadelphia.

For Germany, ranked 10th in the world, the defeat extended a disappointing run at the World Cup since lifting the trophy in 2014. After group-stage exits in the previous two editions, the four-time champions were eliminated in their first knockout match of the 2026 tournament.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann admitted the result fell well short of expectations, while Paraguay goalkeeper Gill credited thorough preparation for the team's success in the shootout.