After more than two hours packed with tension and controversy, La Albirroja – 41st in the Fifa world rankings at the start of the tournament, 31 places below Germany – had done the unthinkable. Relief and ecstasy were etched across every Paraguay supporter’s face.
For Germany, the defeat was equally historic. They suffered their first World Cup elimination via a penalty shootout, having won their previous four, and only their second shootout failure at a major tournament after losing the Euro 1976 final.
Paraguay hit the back of the net first in the 42nd minute through Enciso, but Germany equalized when Arsenal’s forward, Kai Havert, head in from a good cross by Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz. Paraguay then weathered German pressure to produce a disciplined, defiant performance, sitting deep and absorbing pressure throughout. Germany dominated with 75% possession, completing 719 passes to Paraguay’s 161, and registered 21 shots to their opponents’ seven.
The 90 minutes and extra-time ended 1:1 and later went on to a penalty shootout. Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill saved the efforts of Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade before Jonathan Tah fired over the bar, and the way was paved for Jose Canale to blast home the decisive spot kick.
It was the first time Germany had lost a penalty shootout at the World Cup.
Paraguay supporters of every generation embraced as tears streamed down their faces, while chants of ‘Vamos!’ echoed around the stadium.
Paraguay’s next match will be on Saturday in Philadelphia against France or Sweden.
