Germany’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign has come to a dramatic end after they were beaten by Paraguay in a penalty shootout following a tense 1-1 draw in their round of 32 clash.
The four-time world champions fell behind just before half-time when Julio Enciso rose highest to head home Matias Galarza’s cross in the 42nd minute, giving Paraguay a deserved lead at the break.
Germany responded after the restart with renewed urgency, and Kai Havertz restored parity eight minutes into the second half. The forward met Florian Wirtz’s delivery from wide with a precise glancing header to bring the match level.
The Germans thought they had turned the game around later on when Jonathan Tah found the net from a corner, but celebrations were cut short after a VAR review ruled the goal out for a foul on the Paraguayan goalkeeper.
With neither side able to find a winner through regulation or extra time, the match went to penalties.
The shootout proved decisive. Havertz, who had earlier equalised, missed Germany’s opening spot kick, setting the tone for a costly series of errors. Germany ultimately missed three penalties in total, with Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah also failing to convert.
Paraguay also missed two efforts but held their nerve when it mattered most. Jose Canale stepped up to score the decisive penalty, sealing a famous 4-3 shootout victory.
Germany, ranked 10th in the world heading into the tournament, were widely expected to progress against Paraguay, who sit 41st in the FIFA rankings. Instead, the result has been described as one of the biggest upsets in World Cup knockout history.
The defeat adds to Germany’s recent struggles at the tournament, as they continue their wait for a deep run since their 2014 triumph. It also marks their first-ever World Cup penalty shootout defeat.
Paraguay now advance to the round of 16, where they will face either France or Sweden in Philadelphia on July 4.
