Paraguay beat Germany on penalties to book last-16 spot

MASSACHUSSETS: Paraguay defeated Germany 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes on Monday to reach the World Cup round of 16.

Jose Canale scored the winning penalty after Germany’s Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah missed their spot-kicks. Paraguay will face either France or Sweden in the last 16. It is Paraguay’s first World Cup knockout-stage win since reaching the quarter-finals in 2010.

German dominance undone by wastefulness

Germany controlled possession for most of the match but could not turn their chances into goals.

Deniz Undav made his first start of the tournament, but Germany failed to register a shot on target in the first half.

Paraguay took the lead through Julio Enciso, who headed in after a move involving Miguel Almiron to score his country’s first World Cup knockout-stage goal.

Germany equalised in the 54th minute when Kai Havertz headed in a Florian Wirtz cross. Jonathan Tah thought he had scored the winner in extra time, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review for a foul on the goalkeeper.

‘Not a first-class team’ – Nagelsmann

Germany’s World Cup campaign ended with another early exit after losses in the group stage in 2018 and 2022 and their round-of-32 defeat to Paraguay.

Captain Joshua Kimmich said Germany deserved to be eliminated after failing to beat Paraguay over 120 minutes.

Head coach Julian Nagelsmann said his side was not good enough and expressed disappointment after missing the target of winning a fifth World Cup.

Paraguay captain Gustavo Gomez said his team had to give everything to earn the victory. The result sends Paraguay into the last 16 and ends Germany’s World Cup campaign.