The 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 produced a dramatic exit for Germany as they fell to Paraguay in a penalty shootout after a 1‑1 deadlock.
A Shocking Upset in the Round of 32
Paraguay opened the scoring in the 42nd minute when Julio Enciso rose above the German defence to head home a corner, sending the South American side into the break with a slender lead.
The German side responded eight minutes into the second half when Kai Havertz latched onto a loose ball inside the box and slotted it past the Paraguay keeper, restoring parity.
A VAR review later disallowed a German goal that would have put them ahead, citing a foul on the Paraguay keeper, a decision that added tension to the closing stages.
The match proceeded to a penalty shootout where Germany missed three of their four attempts, including Havertz's opening spot‑kick, while Paraguay converted four of their five, securing a 4‑3 victory.
The result marks a historic upset, especially considering Germany's 10th‑ranked FIFA standing versus Paraguay's 41st, and eclipses the 1994 shock of losing to Bulgaria.
For Germany, the defeat underscores a rare penalty shootout loss at the World Cup and ends a streak of deep runs since their 2014 triumph, while Paraguay advances with renewed hope.