Paraguay did it! The “Albirroja” eliminated the four-time champion Germany via a dramatic penalty shootout (4-3) and reached the Round of 16 of the World Cup 2026.
The Guarani claw returned in a historic soccer battle fought in Boston where the Paraguayans tied 1-1 with the Germans in regulation time and in the 120-minute stoppage, and then sealed their classification by imposing aim and personality in the shots from twelve steps.
The notable goalkeeper Orlando Gil, the incisive forward Julio Enciso, the proud defender José Canale and the fierce midfielder Matías Galarza impregnated the grass of the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough with sweat, leading a Paraguay team that gave a tremendous surprise in this World Cup.
Thus exuding resilience, fighting spirit, courage and determination, the pupils of coach Gustavo Alfaro now await a rival in the 8th round, which will come from the crossroads between the French and Swedish national teams, in a match to be played this Tuesday at MetLife Stadium at the New York/New Jersey headquarters.
Paraguayan warriors
Paraguay eliminated Germany in the round of 32 of the World Cup after finishing 1-1 in a match in which they defended themselves to the extreme and bet everything on a penalty shootout (3-4) that was a roller coaster, with two saves by Gill and with center back Canale as the final hero.
The “Albirroja” thus avenges the elimination at the hands of Germany in the round of 16 of the 2002 World Cup, when Oliver Neuville sent Paraguay home in the 88th minute.
Coach Alfaro had already warned beforehand that having possession was important, but knowing how to defend was even more important. Júnior Alonso had the first chance of the game in the 2nd minute.
The Paraguayan centre-back forced a shot from a corner, but Manuel Neuer deflected the ball with one hand. The goalkeeper also became the German player with the most caps in the World Cup (23), surpassing Lothar Matthäus and Miroslav Klose.
It was a real mirage. Paraguay went out to lock themselves back and dedicated themselves to defending with order and discipline. Germany monopolized the ball during the first half (79% possession and 305 passes to only 54 for its rival), but was unable to transform that dominance at times, without giving Gill any work.
Germany also resorted to fouls to stop every counterattack attempt by the “Albirroja”, almost always initiated by Miguel Almirón, back in the eleven after serving a one-match suspension for the expulsion suffered after covering his mouth with his hand in the duel against Turkey in the group stage.
Paraguay’s only way was the counterattack or the strategic play. And that’s precisely how the score came to 0-1, in the 42nd minute: Almirón served a very tight corner that Neuer chose to clear with his fists instead of blocking.
Florian Wirtz ran to get the ball and start the counterattack, but a providential sweep by Damián Bobadilla, half a goal, frustrated the action. The rebound reached Juan José Cáceres, who connected again with Almirón. The Paraguayan then opened on the right wing for Galarza.
His cross found Enciso completely alone, who headed at Neuer’s long post with pleasure. It was Paraguay’s second shot on goal in the entire match, after Alonso’s. Germany, on the other hand, had not yet shot between the three sticks. With that 0-1 the break was reached. Guarani revenge was beginning to take shape.
Then the coach. Julian Nagelsmann brought Leon Goretzka on at half-time and in less than ten minutes Germany managed to tie with a cross from Joshua Kimmich that Kai Havertz headed into the back of the net. One of the great virtues of the Arsenal striker, who made it 1-1.
But it was an isolated play by Germany, which until the 77th minute did not have another one this clear. Same formula, cross from Kimmich that Havertz headed in, but this time Gill, the San Lorenzo goalkeeper, saved very well.
Germany went all out in the final minutes, but could not avoid the 1-1 scoreline and the first extra time of this 2026 World Cup.
In the 102nd minute, Germany got to taste their place in the round of 16. Jonathan Tah headed a corner from Nathanael Brown at the far post and sparked the German celebration. But, when Paraguay was ready to take the center, the VAR called the Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed to review the action.
On the monitor, judge Jayed saw that German defender Waldemar Anton had hindered Orlando Gill, preventing him from defending his goal. Goal disallowed and South American relief.
Paraguay pulled out all the stops to resist the German siege. Germany monopolized the ball until the end, but, despite their dominance, they only had six shots on target in 120 minutes. The tie was going to penalties.
Paraguay got on their fans’ nerves after wasting their two goal lead in the shootout, including that of Fabián Balbuena, who had entered just for this, after Gill blocked two German shots. But in life or death, Tah sent her to the clouds for Germany and Canale gave the “Albirroja” the historic pass to the second round. Delirium in Boston and Paraguay.
This is how they aligned
– Paraguay (1) (4): Orlando Gill; Juan José Cáceres (Braian Ojeda, 99′), Gustavo Gómez, José Canale, Júnior Alonso (Fabián Balbuena, 122′); Andrés Cubas, Damián Bobadilla (Antonio Sanabria, 99′), Matías Galarza, Miguel Almirón (Gustavo Velázquez, 91′), Julio Enciso (Mauricio, 57′); Gabriel Ávalos (Gustavo Caballero, 55′).
– Selector: Gustavo Alfaro (Argentine).
– Germany (1) (3): Manuel Neuer; Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah (Malick Thiaw, 110′), Antonio Rüdiger, Nathanael Brown; Felix Nmecha (Leon Goretzka, 46′), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Waldemar Anton, 79′); Leroy Sané (Nick Woltemade, 88′), Florian Wirtz (Nadiem Amiri, 110′); Kai Havertz, Deniz Undav (Jamal Musiala, 63′).
– Selector: Julian Nagelsmann.
– Goals: 0-1, m.42: Enciso. 1-1, m.54: Havertz.
– Series of Penalty Kicks: 0-0: Havertz, goalkeeper Gill stopped. 0-1: Mauricio, scored a goal. 1-1: Kimmich, goal. 1-2: Gustavo Gómez, goal. 2-2: Musiala, goal. 2-3: Galarza, goal. 2-3: Woltemade, Gill stopped. 2-3: Sanabria: failed. 3-3: Amiri, goal. 3-3: Balbuena, failed. 3-3: Tah, missed. 3-4: Canale, scored a goal.
– Referee: Jalal Jayed (Morocco). He admonished the Germans Havertz and Musiala, and the Paraguayans Cubas and Galarza. He also reprimanded both coaches.
– Incidents: Round of 32 qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup played at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, near Boston (United States), in front of 63,945 spectators.
(With report from Albert Traver, from EFE)
