2026 World Cup: Germany Set Unwanted Record After Loss vs Paraguay in Round of 32
- Germany have set an unwanted record at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup following their Round of 32 defeat to Paraguay
- The four-time world champions were eliminated after losing 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after regulation time and extra time
- Germany failed to convert three of their spot-kicks, with Arsenal forward Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah all missing from the penalty spot
European giants Germany have set an unwanted record following their Round of 32 exit to Paraguay at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Tuesday, June 30.
Strasbourg winger Julio Enciso gave Paraguay the lead in the 42nd minute after being set up by Matías Galarza, before Arsenal forward Kai Havertz equalised nine minutes into the second half.
Havertz arrived at the World Cup on the back of an outstanding season, having played a key role in Arsenal's first Premier League title in 22 years.
Source: Getty Images
Germany thought they had completed the comeback when Jonathan Tah headed home from a corner, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review for a foul on Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Gill, making his FIFA World Cup debut, emerged as Paraguay's hero by outperforming Germany captain Manuel Neuer in the shootout, per ESPN.
The 26-year-old goalkeeper produced crucial saves to deny Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade, giving La Albirroja the upper hand before Jose Canale calmly converted the decisive penalty to seal a 4-3 shootout victory, per Al Jazeera.
The result sent Paraguay into the Round of 16, where they will face either France or Sweden.
Germany, meanwhile, became the highest-ranked team to be eliminated in the Round of 32. The four-time world champions entered the tournament ranked 10th in the FIFA World Rankings, while Paraguay were ranked 41st.
Germany suffer historic penalty shootout defeat
Germany's elimination by Paraguay marked the first time they have ever been knocked out of a FIFA World Cup via a penalty shootout.
Source: Getty Images
Before the defeat, the four-time world champions had won all four of their previous World Cup penalty shootouts.
It was also only the second time Germany had lost a penalty shootout at a major international tournament, with their only previous defeat coming in the 1976 UEFA European Championship final, where they lost 5-3 to Czechoslovakia.
Meanwhile, fans have reacted to the shocking defeat Germany suffered at the hands of Paraguay. Read them below:
@DonKiyawa said:
"The penalties happened to Germany. One love guys. The tournament was so good to you until now. 👏🏼"
@Chelsea_2580 wrote
"What goes around comes around, he that lives by the sword will surely die by the sword. Paraguay finally breaking the German penalty monopoly tonight, Orlando Gill was impressive. Kudos to Paraguay and hardluck to Germany."
@FcKwame added:
"They have been poor since winning the World Cup in 2014."
Casemiro becomes Brazil's 2nd-oldest World Cup goalscorer
Legit.ng earlier reported that Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has etched his name into Brazil's FIFA World Cup history after becoming the nation's second-oldest goalscorer at the tournament.
The veteran midfielder found the net in Brazil's Round of 32 clash against Japan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring a crucial equaliser that sparked the Selecao's comeback victory.
Source: Legit.ng
