Paraguay defeated Germany in a penalty shootout on June 29, 2026, to advance to the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup [4].
The victory marks a significant upset for one of the tournament's traditional powerhouses and secures a rare deep run for the Paraguayan national team.
The match took place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts [5]. Paraguay took an early lead in the 42nd minute when Julio Enciso scored with a header [1]. The goal put the underdogs ahead just before the halftime break.
Germany responded to level the score, and the match remained tied at 1-1 through the end of regulation and extra time [2]. The deadlock forced the contest into a penalty shootout to determine which team would progress in the knockout stage [3].
Paraguay won the shootout four-three [3]. The result eliminates Germany from the competition and sends Paraguay forward in the bracket.
The Round of 32 match was a high-stakes knockout game where the winner earned a spot in the Round of 16 [6]. The atmosphere in Foxborough mirrored the tension on the pitch as the match stretched into the final stages of extra time before the decisive kicks.
“Paraguay won the shootout 4-3”
This result represents a major shift in the 2026 tournament trajectory, as Germany's early exit removes a primary contender from the bracket. For Paraguay, the victory validates their tactical approach in the knockout stages and provides a significant momentum boost heading into the Round of 16.
