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Germany’s 2026 World Cup campaign ended stunningly on Monday. Paraguay knocked out the four-time champions in a penalty shootout, completing one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
The match finished 1-1 after extra time. As a result, Paraguay claimed its first-ever win over Germany in a World Cup game.
Germany v Paraguay: Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Germany vs Paraguay |
| Round | Round of 32, FIFA World Cup 2026 |
| Date | Monday, June 29, 2026 |
| Venue | Boston Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA |
| Final Score | 1-1 (Paraguay win 4-3 on penalties) |
| Germany Scorer | Kai Havertz (53′) |
| Paraguay Scorer | Julio Enciso (42′) |
Germany v Paraguay: Match Overview
Germany entered the match as heavy favorites. FIFA ranked the team 10th in the world before the tournament began, while Paraguay sat much lower at 41st. On paper, the gap suggested an easy win for the Europeans. However, the result on the pitch told a different story.
Paraguay took the lead in first-half stoppage time. Julio Enciso rose above the German defense and headed the ball home in the 42nd minute. The goal capped a poor opening period for Germany. The team struggled to create chances and looked unsettled against Paraguay’s defense.
Germany responded quickly after the break. Kai Havertz leveled the score just eight minutes into the second half, finishing from close range to make it 1-1. The goal lifted Germany’s hopes and seemed to set up a smooth path to the next round.
Later in the match, Germany thought they had scored again from a corner kick. However, a VAR review ruled out the goal for a foul on Paraguay’s goalkeeper. Neither side found a breakthrough for the rest of the match, so the game went to penalties.
The Penalty Shootout
The penalty shootout swung in Paraguay’s favor early. Havertz, who helped Arsenal end a 22-year wait for the Premier League title this season, stepped up first for Germany and missed his attempt. Germany missed three kicks in total.
Paraguay also missed twice, but they converted enough attempts to win the shootout 4-3. As a result, Paraguay booked their place in the next round.
This defeat marked Germany’s first-ever loss on penalties at a World Cup. Therefore, the result carries even more historical weight.
Germany v Paraguay: A Historic Upset
Football analysts ranked the result among the greatest upsets in World Cup history. Many consider it the biggest shock at the knockout stage. The only comparable result involving Germany came at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, when Bulgaria eliminated the defending champions in the quarterfinals. Hristo Stoichkov inspired Bulgaria’s win that year and later went on to claim the Ballon d’Or. At the time, Bulgaria sat 29th in the world rankings. Still, that gap was smaller than the one between Germany and Paraguay on Monday.
Germany’s exit also continues a troubling pattern. The team has now failed to reach the last 16 in every World Cup since their 2010 title win. This loss adds another disappointing chapter to that run. Consequently, fresh questions surround the team’s direction ahead of the next tournament cycle.
What’s Next
Paraguay now advances to the Round of 16, where tougher opposition awaits. Still, reaching the knockout stage already marks a milestone for Paraguayan football. The win over Germany gives the team confidence that they can compete with the tournament’s traditional powers.
For Germany, the early exit forces immediate questions. Discussions about squad selection, tactics, and overall form will likely dominate headlines in the coming days. Meanwhile, the football world continues to process one of the most unexpected results in World Cup history.
