Paraguay Advances to Round of 16 by Defeating Germany in Penalty Shootout
On Tuesday morning at Boston Stadium in the United States, South American nation Paraguay stunned Germany by winning 4-3 in a sudden death penalty shootout during the Round of 32 match.
Summary
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- In the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match, Paraguay defeated Germany 4-3 on penalties to advance to the Round of 16.
- The match was tied 1-1 after regulation and extra time, leading to a sudden death penalty shootout to decide the winner.
- Paraguay’s Jose Canale scored the decisive penalty, securing a historic victory while marking Germany’s exit at this stage.
June 16, Kathmandu – Four-time World Cup champions Germany were eliminated after losing to Paraguay on penalties, as the South American side advanced to the Round of 16 in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The Round of 32 match held Tuesday morning at Boston Stadium ended in a 4-3 sudden death penalty shootout victory for Paraguay.
Jose Canale of Paraguay scored the winning penalty. This marked Germany’s first loss in a World Cup penalty shootout.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of extra time, leading to a penalty shootout – this being the first match decided by penalties in the ongoing World Cup.
Paraguay will now face the winner of the France vs. Sweden match in the Round of 16. Germany became the second former champion to be knocked out at this World Cup, after Uruguay exited during the group stage.
During the shootout, Paraguay’s Mauricio, Gustavo Gomez, Mathias Galarza, and Jose Canale successfully converted their penalties.
Germany’s captain Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, and Nadiem Amiri scored for their side.
Paraguay’s goalkeeper Orlando Gille saved penalties from Kai Havertz and Nik Waltemade, while Jonathan Tah’s shot hit the post.
After the first five penalties, the score was tied 3-3, with both goalkeepers saving two shots each. In the sixth round, Germany’s Jonathan Tah missed narrowly over the post, and Jose Canale then scored the decisive penalty for Paraguay.
Julio Insuso scored first for Paraguay in the 42nd minute to give his team the lead, while Kai Havertz equalized for Germany in the 54th minute. Jonathan Tah’s goal during the 102nd minute of extra time was disallowed after VAR review due to a foul on an opposing player.
Since winning the 2014 Brazil World Cup, Germany has not won any knockout stage matches. Having been eliminated in the group stage in the last two World Cups, this marked Germany’s return to the knockout round after 12 years, but they were ousted in their first match.
This is Paraguay’s second win in a World Cup knockout match. In the 2010 Africa World Cup, Paraguay defeated Japan on penalties in the Round of 16, advancing to the quarterfinals where they lost to Spain. This time, Paraguay progresses by defeating a former champion in their first knockout match.
