By OkayGoal 
Germanys World Cup 2026 journey came to a shocking and painful end on Monday night after a dramatic round of 32 defeat to Paraguay.The four-time champions went into the match as clear favourites, ranked 10th in the world by FIFA, but were instead dumped out by a determined Paraguay side ranked 41st, who held their nerve in a tense penalty shootout.Paraguay struck first just before half-time when Julio Enciso rose to meet Matias Galarzas cross in the 42nd minute, heading home to give his side a surprise lead after a subdued opening spell from Germany.The Germans responded after the break with renewed urgency, and it took just eight minutes of the second half for Kai Havertz to restore parity. The forward connected with a precise cross from Florian Wirtz, guiding a glancing header past the Paraguayan goalkeeper to bring Germany level.Germany thought they had completed the turnaround later in the match when Jonathan Tah found the net from a corner, but the celebrations were cut short after VAR ruled the goal out for a foul on the Paraguayan goalkeeper.With neither side able to find a winner in normal time or extra time, the match was decided from the penalty spot, where the drama reached its peak.
Germany come from behind to force extra time. #FIFAWorldCup
FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 29, 2026Kai Havertz, who had earlier brought Germany back into the contest, missed the opening penalty of the shootout, setting the tone for a difficult night for the Germans. In total, Germany missed three spot kicks, with Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah also failing to convert.Paraguay, despite missing two penalties of their own, held their composure when it mattered most, with Jos Canale stepping up to convert the decisive kick that sealed a famous 4-3 shootout victory.
Paraguay power into the Round of 16 on penalties! #FIFAWorldCup
FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 29, 2026The result marks Germanys first-ever World Cup penalty shootout defeat and continues a worrying trend, as they have now failed to reach the last 16 since their 2014 triumph.Paraguay now advance to the last 16, where they will face either France or Sweden in Philadelphia on July 4.
Source link