Paraguay have produced one of the standout results of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, eliminating Germany in a penalty shootout at Boston Stadium on June 29 after a gripping 1-1 draw across 120 minutes of football. The South Americans advanced 4-3 on spot-kicks, inflicting Germany’s first-ever World Cup penalty shootout defeat.
The match turned on a moment of high drama in the 102nd minute of extra time, when Bayern Munich defender Jonathan Tah headed what appeared to be the decisive goal, only for the effort to be ruled out by the referee for a foul on the Paraguayan goalkeeper. That disallowance proved enormously consequential, denying Germany the opportunity to seal progression in open play and forcing a shootout that ultimately ended their tournament.
Julio Enciso had given Paraguay the lead just before the half-time interval, before Chelsea midfielder Kai Havertz drew Germany level in the 56th minute. Neither side could find a winner through the remainder of normal time or the additional 30 minutes, setting up the penalty drama that followed.
In the shootout, Germany’s previously unblemished record from the spot — 15 consecutive World Cup penalties converted since 1982, encompassing four shootout wins from four — came to an abrupt end. Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade both had their attempts saved, before Jonathan Tah, whose disallowed header had seemed set to win the tie in extra time, skied his sudden-death penalty to confirm Paraguay’s place in the Round of 16.
Head coach Gustavo Alfaro’s tactical approach drew considerable attention throughout the contest. Paraguay deployed a disciplined low-block structure that restricted Germany to limited clear-cut opportunities despite their opponents controlling possession for large periods. The Paraguayan defence remained organised and composed for the full duration, with goalkeeper Gatito Fernández delivering a decisive performance in the shootout itself.
Germany’s attacking display raised serious questions ahead of their exit. Julian Nagelsmann’s side were without Jamal Musiala in the starting lineup, and Deniz Undav struggled for involvement on a rare start. Germany leaned heavily on crosses and wide deliveries rather than penetrating through central channels, a pattern that will form part of the post-tournament review the Nationalmannschaft now faces. The defeat also extends Germany’s inability to keep a clean sheet in a World Cup knockout fixture since the 2014 final.
For Paraguay, the victory carries notable historical weight. According to Pulse Sports, this was only the second time Paraguay have won a World Cup shootout, and it ends a long-standing knockout-stage difficulty for the nation on football’s biggest stage. Their previous deep World Cup run came in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals before losing to Spain.
The result also marked the conclusion of a difficult tournament for Germany, who had earlier encountered problems in their group stage encounters against South American opposition, including a defeat to Ecuador. Paraguay’s Round of 16 berth now awaits a fixture to be confirmed as the last-16 draw takes shape, while Germany’s coaching staff and federation face scrutiny over the team’s inability to break down defensively organised sides in the knockout rounds.
