Deniz Undav (R) of Germany vies with Gustavo Gomez of Paraguay during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
BOSTON, United States, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Paraguay ended Germany's unbeaten run in FIFA World Cup penalty shootouts on Monday, beating the four-time champion 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to reach the last 16.
It came as one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far. Paraguay, who advanced from Group D as one of the eight best third-placed teams, executed a disciplined defensive game plan to perfection after being tipped as the underdog before kickoff.
Julio Enciso headed Paraguay into the lead three minutes before halftime, marking the country's first-ever goal in the World Cup knockout stage, before Kai Havertz equalized in the 54th minute.
Germany thought they had completed a comeback in the 102nd minute when Jonathan Tah headed home, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review for a foul on Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
The tie went to penalties, where Jose Canale converted the decisive spot kick after Germany missed three of its five attempts.
Germany, appearing in its 21st World Cup, had topped Group E after scoring 10 goals in the group stage. The match was its 12th World Cup game to go to extra time, the most by any team. Germany entered the shootout with a perfect World Cup penalty record after winning its previous four shootouts in 1982, 1986, 1990 and 2006, but that run came to an end against Paraguay.
Paraguay will face the winner of Tuesday's clash between France and Sweden for a place in the quarterfinals. ■
Fans of Germany cheer for the team before the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Gustavo Gomez (top) and Juan Jose Caceres (front) of Paraguay defend during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (L) makes a save against Julio Enciso of Paraguay during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Referees are seen before the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Gustavo Gomez (top) of Paraguay vies for a header during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer reacts during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Leroy Sane (R) of Germany competes during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Gustavo Caballero (top R) of Paraguay vies with Aleksandar Pavlovic of Germany during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
A fan of Germany is seen before the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Fans of Germany cheer for the team before the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Gabriel Avalos (1st L) of Paraguay vies with Joshua Kimmich of Germany during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Kai Havertz (1st R) of Germany reacts after scoring during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Players of Paraguay sing the national enthem before the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Antonio Rudiger (front) of Germany reacts after Kai Havertz scoring during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer reacts during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Julio Enciso (bottom) of Paraguay celebrates after scoring during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Kai Havertz (front 3rd L) of Germany celebrates after scoring with teammates during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Florian Wirtz (C) of Germany vies with Julio Enciso (R) of Paraguay during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
A fan of Germany cheers for the team before the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Starting players of Germany pose for group photos before the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Kai Havertz (front C) of Germany celebrates after scoring during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Deniz Undav (L) of Germany vies with Matias Galarza of Paraguay during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Florian Wirtz (R) of Germany controls the ball during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
Referees enter the stadium before the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
The screen shows that Gemany's second goal is disallowed during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Manuel Neuer (front L), goalkeeper of Germany, makes a save during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Players of Paraguay celebrate after winning the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Waldemar Anton (2nd R, front) of Germany reacts during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Gustavo Caballero (front L) of Paraguay vies with Jonathan Tah (front R) of Germany during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Paraguay's goalkeeper Orlando Gill (1st R) makes a save during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Germany's Antonio Rudiger (L) and goalkeeper Oliver Baumann react during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
Players of Germany celebrate after scoring a goal that was later disallowed during the round of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Boston Stadium in Boston, the United States, June 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)
