Paraguay knock Germany out of World Cup after penalty shootout

FOXBOROUGH: Paraguay sent Germany out of the World Cup in the round of 32 on Monday, winning 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra time in a major upset.

The result marked the first time Germany have lost a penalty shootout at a World Cup. It was also another early exit for the Germans, who were playing in their first knockout match at the tournament since lifting the title in 2014. For Paraguay, it was a landmark victory as they advanced to the last 16 in their first World Cup appearance since 2010.

Paraguay strike first, Germany respond

Paraguay had an early chance when Junior Alonso found space at the back post from a corner, but Manuel Neuer kept him out. Germany, despite having shown their attacking strength in a 7-1 opening win over Curacao, struggled for long periods to break down a compact Paraguayan defence.

Julio Enciso gave Paraguay the lead in the 42nd minute, heading in from Matias Galarza’s cross after the South Americans recycled possession from a corner. It was Paraguay’s first goal in a World Cup knockout-stage match after failing to score in their previous five such games, including a 1-0 loss to Germany in the last 16 in 2002.

Germany made a change at the interval, introducing Leon Goretzka, and nearly fell further behind when an under-hit backpass from Joshua Kimmich forced Neuer to rush out and deny Enciso. The equaliser came nine minutes after the restart when Florian Wirtz delivered from the left and Kai Havertz guided a header into the far corner for his third goal of the tournament.

VAR overturns Tah goal in extra time

Germany pushed for a winner as the match wore on. In the 78th minute, Havertz again went close from a Wirtz delivery, but goalkeeper Orlando Gill reacted sharply to keep the effort out. Gill made six saves over 120 minutes.

Germany thought they had gone in front in the 102nd minute when Jonathan Tah headed in Nathaniel Brown’s corner at the back post. However, referee Jalal Jayed was sent to the monitor by lead VAR Tatiana Guzman and then disallowed the goal, ruling that Waldemar Anton had fouled Gill in the build-up. Germany continued to threaten from set-pieces, with Leon Goretzka denied in the 86th minute when Anton, standing near the line in an offside position, prevented the ball from going in, while Anton later headed straight at Gill in the 118th minute.

Paraguay were also dealt a setback when Enciso went off injured, depriving them of a key attacking outlet. Even so, they held firm through sustained German pressure and took the match to penalties.

Gill decisive in shootout

In the tiebreak, Gill saved from Havertz and Nick Woltemade to put Paraguay in a strong position. Paraguay then missed their first two opportunities to finish the shootout, with Neuer saving Fabian Balbuena’s penalty to take it into a sixth round.

Tah, whose extra-time header had earlier been ruled out, then sent Germany’s sixth kick over the bar. Jose Canale converted the next penalty to seal Paraguay’s victory and complete one of the biggest surprises of the tournament.

Paraguay could next face France if Les Bleus overcome Sweden. Paraguay are seeking to match their run to the quarter-finals in 2010.

Before the match, Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann handed Deniz Undav his first start of the tournament after his three goals as a substitute in the opening two games, while Nathaniel Brown returned at left-back after missing the defeat to Ecuador as a precaution over a minor injury. Paraguay recalled Miguel Almiron after a one-match ban.