Paraguay eliminates Germany from the 2026 World Cup in a penalty shootout
Paraguay eliminated Germany from the 2026 World Cup in a penalty shootout, marking a major upset and Germany's third consecutive failure to advance to the round of 16.
Germany was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after losing to Paraguay in a penalty shootout at Boston Stadium on Monday. Paraguay opened the scoring against Germany in the 42nd minute and went into the break with an advantage. Germany reacted in the second half, equalizing with a header from Kai Havertz in the 54th minute. The game remained tied until the end of regulation time and 30 minutes of extra time, after a goal by Jonathan Tah was disallowed for a foul following a VAR check. Germany were the favorites in the penalty shootout, counting on legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, but Paraguay emerged victorious after mistakes by Havertz on the first kick, Nick Woltemade on the fourth attempt and Tah on the sixth and final attempt of the Mannschaft. José Canale scored the winning penalty for Paraguay, giving Germany their first defeat in a penalty shootout and Paraguay their second victory in a World Cup shootout, at their second attempt. This result marks the fourth biggest upset in the knockout stage since FIFA rankings began in 1992. Paraguay is ranked 41st, while Germany is 10th, a difference of 31 places; only the clashes of Russia x Spain (60 places), South Korea x Italy (34 places) and South Korea x Spain (32 places) are bigger. This is also the third consecutive World Cup in which Germany have not advanced to the round of 16, the last time being in 2014 when they won the tournament. The team was eliminated in the group stage in 2018 and 2022, and now fails to reach the round of 16 after losing its first knockout game. Paraguay will now progress to the round of 16, where they will face the winner of the game between Paraguay and Sweden on Tuesday.
---
Related Articles
1. [World Cup 2026](https://azkalsgoal.com/fil/news/ibrahimovic-huwag-tawaging-kabiguan-ang-hapon-umalis-sila-na-taas-noo-sa-world-cup-2026) 2. [World Cup 2026](https://onzeactu.com/fr/news/coupe-du-monde-2026-kai-havertz-sexcuse-apres-lelimination-choc-de-lallemagne-face-au-paraguay)