Germany crash out of World Cup again, losing to Paraguay on penalties for first time
Paraguay eliminated Germany from the World Cup on Monday, winning 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw at Gillette Stadium. It is the first time Germany has ever lost a World Cup shootout after four previous wins, and their third consecutive early exit.
Germany’s 2026 World Cup campaign ended in Foxborough, Massachusetts, as Paraguay overcame the four-times champions in a penalty shootout to advance to the quarter-finals. The 1-1 score after extra time had to be decided from the spot, where misses from Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade proved decisive for Julian Nagelsmann’s side. Germany dominated possession but struggled to break down a compact Paraguayan defence, while the South Americans took their chance through Julio Enciso shortly before half-time. Havertz equalised early in the second half, but neither team could find a winner in regulation or extra time. Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill saved attempts from Havertz and Woltemade, and Jonathan Tah blasted over the bar; Paraguay converted four of its five kicks to secure the upset.
Pre-match pressure
Before the game, Nagelsmann acknowledged the stakes.
He made two surprising changes, starting Deniz Undav in place of Jamal Musiala and Nathaniel Brown at left-back. Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro opted for Gabriel Ávalos up front with Miguel Almirón and Julio Enciso on the flanks.It's a do-or-die game. The boys will bring their best level and we have to be patient. It's a team that defends well, stays compact, has good players, strong and very physical. We need a perfect display.
The 90 minutes
Paraguay started brightly, with Júnior Alonso forcing a save from Manuel Neuer in the second minute. Germany responded with a wide effort from Undav and dangerous deliveries from Florian Wirtz, but Paraguay’s low block proved stubborn. The breakthrough came in the 42nd minute: Almirón fed Matías Galarza down the right, and his cross was headed home by Enciso, marking Paraguay’s first ever goal in a World Cup knockout tie. Enciso later reflected:
After what happened in the warm-up match, I thought my World Cup was over. But I never stopped believing. This goal is for everyone in Paraguay.
Germany lifted the tempo after the break and Havertz levelled nine minutes into the second half. Paraguay almost retook the lead when a Joshua Kimmich error sent Enciso through, but Neuer denied him. Chances dried up as extra time loomed, and the match became a test of nerve.
Shootout drama
Germany had won all four previous World Cup penalty shootouts in their history. That streak ended on Monday. After four rounds of the shootout, Paraguay led 4-3. Havertz saw his effort saved by Gill, Woltemade’s attempt was also kept out, and Tah skied his kick over the crossbar. Neuer saved one Paraguayan penalty, from Fabián Balbuena, but it was not enough. Gill’s two saves made him the night’s hero.
- Júnior Alonso forces a save from Manuel Neuer in the second minute
- Julio Enciso heads Paraguay in front from Matías Galarza cross
- Kai Havertz equalises for Germany in the 54th minute
- End of 90 minutes at 1-1; match goes to extra time
- Penalty shootout begins; Germany misses three kicks
- Paraguay wins shootout 4-3, eliminates Germany
Third early exit
Germany’s recent World Cup record underlines a lost aura. After winning the title in 2014, they were eliminated in the group stage in 2018 and 2022, and now in the round of 16. Since lifting the trophy at the Maracanã, they have not advanced beyond the last 16. The defeat leaves Nagelsmann’s tenure under scrutiny, while Paraguay moves on to face either France or Sweden in the quarter-finals.
