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The Qatar News Agency reported that Paraguay advanced to the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Germany 4-3 in a penalty shootout. The match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes in Boston on June 30. Julio Enciso scored for Paraguay in the 42nd minute while Kai Havertz equalized for Germany in the 54th minute with a header from a Florian Wirtz cross.
According to the Qatar News Agency, Germany controlled much of the game following the equalizer but Paraguay’s defense and goalkeeper Orlando Gil held firm. Gil made several key saves to send the match into extra time, which the report identified as the tournament’s first such encounter. In the 102nd minute, a goal by Jonathan Tah was disallowed after VAR determined that Waldemar Anton had fouled Gil prior to the strike.
The QNA account noted that Gil saved a penalty from Havertz in the shootout to help Paraguay secure the 4-3 win. Paraguay will next play the winner of the France versus Sweden match scheduled for Sunday. Germany’s World Cup campaign ended at the first knockout stage.
FIFA historical records show that Germany entered the match with four previous World Cup penalty shootout victories before this result. Data compiled on World Cup shootouts indicates this encounter featured 12 penalties taken, tying for the highest total in any single shootout. The loss follows Germany’s group-stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
ESPN statistics detail that the two teams had met twice before at the World Cup level, with Germany winning 1-0 in the 2002 round of 16. A 2013 international friendly saw Germany prevail 3-1 over Paraguay. The South American side’s victory therefore represents their first competitive win against the four-time champions.
FOX Sports described the outcome as ranking among the biggest upsets in World Cup knockout-stage history. The Qatar News Agency stated that Gil’s performance proved decisive throughout regulation, extra time and the shootout. Multiple match reports highlighted how Paraguay capitalized on limited first-half chances before absorbing sustained pressure from the German side.
