History Made in Foxborough

Paraguay did it. The unthinkable. Four-time world champions Germany are out of the 2026 World Cup, beaten 4-3 on penalties by La Albirroja after a gripping 1-1 draw at Gillette Stadium.

It marks the first time Germany have ever lost a penalty shootout at a World Cup. Historic. Stunning. Completely deserved.

Julio Enciso opened the scoring with a header on 40 minutes, assisted by Atlanta United’s Matias Galarza. Paraguay’s first knockout-stage goal in their entire World Cup history. And it came against Germany.

Kai Havertz equalised on 54 minutes, heading home from a Florian Wirtz cross to drag Germany level. From there, Nagelsmann’s side pushed. They pressed. They created. But goalkeeper Orlando Gill stood firm.

Germany thought they had won it in extra time when Jonathan Tah headed home from a corner, but VAR overturned the goal. Waldemar Anton was judged to have impeded Paraguay goalkeeper Gill. Cruel. Germany deflated.

Spot-Kick Drama Ends It All

The shootout arrived. Nerves everywhere.

Kai Havertz missed Germany’s first penalty. Kimmich converted. Mauricio scored for Paraguay. Germany could never recover.

This is the third consecutive men’s World Cup that Germany have not advanced to the round of 16, having been eliminated in the group stage in both 2018 and 2022. A decade of decline. Now this.

Paraguay advance to face France in the last 16. For more World Cup coverage and predictions, visit KCPredict. Full match details are also available via FIFA’s official site.