Paraguay eliminated Germany from the World Cup following a dramatic penalty shootout in Boston, inflicting the four-time champions’ first defeat from the spot in the tournament since 1976.
Gustavo Alfaro’s side defended with fierce discipline throughout the 120 minutes before prevailing in a shootout described as a “whirl of errors” and a “sporting meltdown” for the Germans. The victory sends Paraguay to a last-16 tie in Philadelphia, while Julian Nagelsmann’s tournament ends in the round of 32.
Germany dominate but trail
The match presented a stark tactical contrast from the outset. Germany dominated possession to an extraordinary degree in the first half, enjoying 79 per cent of the ball and completing 308 passes to Paraguay’s 55. Yet they reached the interval 1-0 down, bewildered by Alfaro’s rigid defensive structure that occasionally shifted from a 4-5-1 to a 4-6-0 formation.
Paraguay’s goal arrived against the run of play after 27 minutes. Manuel Neuer punched clear a Miguel Almirón corner, but the ball was recycled to Matías Galarza, who whipped a hard, flat cross onto the head of Julio Enciso. The attacker, standing at just 5ft 6in, directed a powerful header into the net to give the underdogs the lead.
Germany’s frustration was palpable. Antonio Rüdiger, tired of probing against the massed defensive ranks, launched a booming punt straight out for a goal-kick. The contest was so soporific that the hydration break provided rare respite from the stalemate.
Nagelsmann introduced Leon Goretzka for Felix Nmecha at the interval, and Germany appeared more purposeful in midfield. They found an equaliser nine minutes into the second half when Florian Wirtz delivered a diagonal cross from the left that Kai Havertz met with a pivoted, flicked header into the corner.
Paraguay might have restored their lead immediately when Enciso intercepted a horribly shanked back-pass from Joshua Kimmich, but Neuer smothered the finish. The introduction of Jamal Musiala for the largely anonymous Denis Undav failed to unlock the Paraguayan defence again, and the contest proceeded to extra time and penalties.
Shootout seals historic defeat
The shootout proved chaotic, marked by “shanked kicks” and German errors. The defeat extends their wait for a World Cup shootout victory since the famous 1976 final loss to Czechoslovakia, decided by Antonín Panenka’s chipped effort.
Paraguay now advance to face their next opponent in Philadelphia, celebrating arguably the greatest result in their footballing history. For Germany, the exit marks another disappointing tournament performance, intensifying speculation over Nagelsmann’s future. Jürgen Klopp, working as a television pundit during the competition, has been suggested as a potential successor should the position become vacant.