Germany were eliminated from the World Cup on Monday after a penalty shootout loss to Paraguay in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The match ended 1-1 before Paraguay advanced on penalties, with Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade, and Jonathan Tah missing crucial attempts in the shootout.
Four-time champions Germany became the first powerhouse side to exit the tournament in the round of 32. Paraguay, ranked No. 34, overcame two missed opportunities from the spot before José Canale converted in sudden death to seal victory.
Julio Enciso gave Paraguay a 1-0 advantage in the 42nd minute, scoring with a header after Miguel Almirón’s cross. Germany leveled the score early in the second half when Havertz nodded in a cross from Florian Wirtz in the 54th minute to make it 1-1.
Germany thought they had taken the lead in extra time through Jonathan Tah, but a VAR review ruled out the goal for a foul by Waldemar Anton on Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill. The decision left the Germans frustrated.
Gill, who made several key saves, said afterward, “We had to analyze every player, every detail. Thanks to that, I was able to only miss two penalties. This is for all the people of Paraguay.” He denied Havertz with an outstretched hand and stopped Anton from close range late in extra time.
Canale, who struck the winning penalty, said: “I think we deserved one more game, and, to be honest, considering everything that was said, everything we went through. What I want to highlight from our team is how united we are. … Today was a game we really needed to show our true colors.”
Germany had previously won six of seven penalty shootouts in major tournaments, including six straight since losing to Czechoslovakia in the 1976 European Championship final. Before Monday, Germany had never lost a World Cup shootout.
This was the first World Cup meeting between the two nations since 2002, when Germany defeated Paraguay 1-0 in the round of 16. Nearly a quarter century later, Paraguay took revenge on the same stage.
Paraguay entered this match after appearing in five prior World Cup knockout games without scoring in any. They had advanced only once before, defeating Japan on penalties in the 2010 round of 16 before losing to Spain in the quarterfinals.
For Germany, it was the nation’s first knockout round appearance since the 2014 final in Brazil, when the team defeated Argentina 1-0 to win their fourth title. The Germans had been eliminated in the group stage at the two most recent World Cups prior to this one.
“We had very big plans for this World Cup. It’s very difficult to disappoint again,” Havertz said. “It was difficult to create chances and keep the pace.”
Germany controlled 78% of possession in the first half, but trailed at the break despite their dominance. Enciso’s goal left them searching for answers after heavy pressure failed to produce an early breakthrough.
Wirtz’s cross to Havertz in the 54th minute briefly restored balance, giving the Germans renewed energy, but the European side couldn’t capitalize further before the final whistle. The match moved to extra time, where Germany again pushed forward but could not find a decisive goal.
Tah’s disallowed header in the added period proved pivotal. VAR intervention spotted Anton’s contact on Gill that negated what could have been Germany’s winning strike.
In the shootout, Havertz and Woltemade missed their chances, putting Germany at risk. Paraguay’s Antonio Sanabria also failed, and Gill denied Fabián Balbuena to keep the contest alive before Tah’s miss handed Paraguay one final chance. Canale stepped up to deliver the winning penalty.
Paraguay’s victory set up a round of 16 meeting with the winner of Tuesday’s match between France and Sweden in Philadelphia.