Paraguay eliminated four-time champions Germany from the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Monday after winning a penalty shoot-out [1].
The result marks a major upset in the tournament's Round of 32, removing one of the most decorated teams from contention. It establishes Paraguay as a dangerous underdog heading into the next stage of the competition.
The match took place on June 29, 2026, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts [2]. Both teams played to a 1-1 draw after regular and extra time [2]. The stalemate forced the game into a penalty shoot-out to determine which team would advance to the Round of 16 [1].
Paraguay maintained their composure during the high-pressure sequence to secure a 4-3 victory [3]. The decisive moment came when José Canale converted the final spot-kick, sealing the win for his national team [1].
Germany entered the match as a heavy favorite given their historical success in the tournament. However, they were unable to break the deadlock in the final minutes of play. The loss ends Germany's run in the 2026 tournament, a shocking exit for a team of their stature [1].
Paraguay now prepares for the Round of 16, where they will face another opponent in the knockout bracket. The victory in Foxborough serves as a defining moment for the Paraguayan squad, which managed to outlast the German side in both regulation and the subsequent shoot-out [3].
“Paraguay eliminated four-time champions Germany from the FIFA World Cup 2026”
This result highlights the increasing volatility of the expanded World Cup format, where established powerhouses are more susceptible to early exits. Germany's elimination creates a vacuum in the bracket and shifts the momentum toward South American teams, while validating Paraguay's defensive resilience under pressure.
