🇵🇾 Paraguay 1–1 🇩🇪 Germany (4–3 PK) — Germany Eliminated

WorldCup.NYC Editorial — June 29, 2026

What Happened

Four-time champions Germany are out of the 2026 World Cup after a stunning penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay — ranked 41st in the world, 31 places below Die Mannschaft. It is the first penalty shootout loss in German World Cup history.

Paraguay took a shock lead at the break through Julio Enciso's 42nd-minute header, set up by Matías Galarza. Germany were sluggish throughout the first half against a Paraguayan side set up in a disciplined, deep 4-4-2 with 11 men behind the ball at almost all times.

Kai Havertz pulled Germany level eight minutes after the restart, heading home from a Florian Wirtz cross. Germany then thought they'd won it in extra time — Jonathan Tah headed home from a corner in the 105th minute — but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review ruled Waldemar Anton had impeded Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill at the near post.

The goal stood disallowed, the match went to penalties, and Paraguay held their nerve. Havertz, Tah, and Nick Woltemade all missed for Germany. José Canale converted the winning spot kick to send Paraguay through and end Germany's tournament.

Why It's Historic

This is arguably the biggest upset in the knockout stage of World Cup history given the ranking gap — Germany entered ranked 10th in the world, Paraguay 41st. The closest comparison is Bulgaria's 1994 quarterfinal win over defending champions Germany, inspired by Hristo Stoichkov. This marks Germany's third straight disappointing World Cup after early exits in 2018 and 2022 — though this is their earliest stage exit since group-stage failures in those tournaments.

What's Next for Paraguay

Paraguay advanced to face France in the Round of 16 in Philadelphia on July 4. France won 1-0 — Mbappé scored a 70th-minute penalty. Paraguay exit having beaten Germany in one of the tournament’s greatest upsets. Enciso and Almirón were brilliant throughout. La Albirroja leave with their heads held high.

NYC Reaction

Germany's significant NYC community in Yorkville and Astoria will be in mourning. Paraguay's smaller but passionate community, centered in Jackson Heights, will be celebrating one of the great underdog stories in their football history. The Foxborough crowd reportedly had a substantial Paraguayan presence despite Germany being the "home" side on paper.