Paraguay stun Germany on penalties, roar into World Cup last 16

Paraguay knock Germany out on penalties to reach the last 16

Germany 1–1 Paraguay (4–3 pens). Your team did it. Orlando Gill saved two penalties and José Canale buried the winner as Paraguay eliminated the four-time world champions in the round of 32 (1) (4).

Germany had never lost a World Cup penalty shootout. That streak, dating back 50 years, is over (4). Jonathan Tah missed the decisive spot-kick after Gill had already denied Nick Woltemade and Kai Havertz (1) (2) (4).

Kimmich begged teammates to step up

Joshua Kimmich took Germany's first penalty and converted it. Then he turned to Leon Goretzka. "Oder Leon, du?" he asked. Goretzka hesitated (2) (8).

RMC Sport reports that several German players refused to take a penalty before Tah was forced to step up, Goretzka, Noah Brown, Waldemar Anton, and Malick Thiaw among them (8). A chaotic scene on the biggest stage, and Paraguay capitalised.

Nagelsmann under fire, Klopp name returns

German media are not holding back. Julian Nagelsmann said after the match he would not resign, but his future is being questioned openly (6). Jürgen Klopp's name is back in the headlines as a potential successor (3) (6).

FAZ described the national team as "a tipping point" (3) (7). Bild ran a column calling the exit a reflection of a deeper German crisis (7).

A streamer helped Paraguay prepare

Gustavo Alfaro brought in outside help. Argentine streamer and goalkeeper analyst Joaquín Ketlun worked with the staff to prepare Paraguay for the shootout, studying German penalty tendencies (5).

Gill made two saves. Ketlun's specialised analysis, built through years of video breakdowns, paid off when it mattered most (5).

Canale sends the nation into orbit

Paraguay fans went through every emotion. RMC Sport captured the celebrations as Canale stepped up and converted the winning penalty, pure release after 120 minutes of tension (9).

Your team is into the last 16. Australia awaits.

Fan-reaktioner

Paraguay supporters online are leaning hard into the underdog energy, posts celebrating the "small nation" beating the football giant are everywhere. Canale's penalty has been clipped and shared endlessly, and several threads on r/soccer are already calling it one of the moments of the tournament so far. Watch the reaction here