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This marked the first match of the 2026 World Cup to proceed to extra time and a penalty shootout. In the decisive shootout, Germany, a four-time World Cup champion, failed to demonstrate its renowned composure.

In the initial four rounds, missed attempts by Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade put Germany in a difficult position. Paraguay, however, squandered opportunities in two crucial kicks, with Antonio Sanabria shooting wide and Fabian Balbuena's strike to the right corner saved by Manuel Neuer.

The penalty shootout was tied 4-4, leading to sudden death. After Neuer saved Germany from defeat, the white-clad team faced elimination when Jonathan Tah's shot sailed over the bar into the stands. Jose Canale then capitalized on his opportunity, slotting the ball into the right corner to secure a 5-4 victory and send Paraguay into the round of 8.

Germany's players expressed disappointment after losing to Paraguay in the 2026 World Cup round of 16 penalty shootout at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA on 29/6. Photo: Reuters

Germany topped Group E but faced criticism for their unconvincing performances. After a dominant 7-1 victory over Curacao, head coach Julian Nagelsmann's squad needed a late goal from Deniz Undav to secure a 2-1 comeback win against Ivory Coast, before concluding the group stage with a 1-2 loss to Ecuador.

Despite their struggles, Germany achieved their initial goal of advancing past the group stage, a feat they failed to accomplish in the two previous World Cups in 2018 and 2022.

Germany's most recent appearance in a World Cup knockout round was the 2014 final, where Mario Gotze scored in extra time to defeat Argentina. Broadly, Germany had won eight of their last nine knockout matches at the World Cup, with their only loss being a 0-1 defeat to Spain in the 2010 semifinals.

This marked Paraguay's sixth knockout match, yet only their one victory came against Japan in a penalty shootout in the 2010 World Cup round of 8. Paraguay also failed to score in five of these matches, marking the longest goalless streak for a team in the knockout stages in the tournament's history.

*Enciso opened the scoring for Paraguay.

However, at Gillette Stadium on 29/6, Paraguay broke this streak. In the 42nd minute, Matias Galarza delivered a cross from the right flank, allowing Julio Enciso to cut in and head the ball into the near post, leaving goalkeeper Manuel Neuer rooted as the ball entered the net. The Strasbourg winger continued his impressive form, having contributed to both of Paraguay's group stage goals: one assist against USA and another against Turkey.

Hong Duy