Paraguay knocked out Germany on penalty kicks in a stunning World Cup round of 32 match on Monday, winning 4-3 in the shootout after a 1-1 draw in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Match Details
The game remained deadlocked through extra time, with both teams unable to break the deadlock. Germany, a four-time World Cup champion, dominated possession but failed to convert chances. Paraguay capitalized on a counterattack in the second half to take the lead, but Germany equalized late to force extra time.
In the penalty shootout, Paraguay goalkeeper Antony Silva saved two German spot-kicks, while all four Paraguayan takers converted their penalties. The decisive kick was scored by Miguel Almirón, sending Paraguay into the round of 16.
Impact and Reactions
The result marks one of the biggest upsets in recent World Cup history. Germany had been considered a favorite to advance deep into the tournament. Paraguay, ranked 50th in the world, will now face either Brazil or Portugal in the next round.
"This is a dream come true for our country," said Paraguayan midfielder Richard Sánchez. "We believed in ourselves and fought until the end."
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann expressed disappointment: "We had chances but couldn't finish. Penalties are a lottery, and today it didn't go our way."
Historical Context
This is Paraguay's first victory over Germany in a World Cup match. The two teams had met twice before, with Germany winning both encounters. Paraguay's best World Cup performance came in 2010 when they reached the quarterfinals.
The match was played at Gillette Stadium in front of 65,000 fans, mostly supporting Germany. Paraguay will now prepare for their next match, scheduled for July 3.
