Paraguay have pulled off one of the greatest World Cup upsets of the modern era, eliminating four-time champions Germany in a penalty shootout after 120 minutes of tension and controversy. Canale scored the winning penalty as Tah blazed his effort over, sending La Albirroja into the next round and sparking scenes of pure jubilation among their supporters.
Paraguay fans of every generation embraced in tears as chants of ‘Vamos!’ rang around the Boston Stadium. A 16-year-old supporter, attending the game with her family, captured the mood outside the ground. “So many people doubted us. And we proved all of them wrong,” she told BBC Sport. “Not many people know what or who Paraguay is. Now everyone is going to know who Paraguay is!”
The result was historic on both sides. Germany suffered their first World Cup elimination via a penalty shootout, having won their previous four, and only their second shootout failure at a major tournament after losing the Euro 1976 final. For Paraguay, it was their first World Cup knockout win since 2014 — achieved by a side that averaged just 0.78 goals per game during qualifying, the joint-lowest of any team to reach the finals.
On the pitch, Germany were dominant throughout. They finished with 75% possession, completed 719 passes to Paraguay’s 161, and registered 21 shots to their opponents’ seven. But Paraguay’s discipline and defensive resilience proved the decisive factor, as they absorbed the pressure and made it count when it mattered most.
Much of the credit belongs to 63-year-old Argentine manager Gustavo Alfaro, who took charge six games into qualifying. From that point, Paraguay lost just once in 12 matches and qualified with relative ease — building a side capable, on this remarkable night, of stunning world football.
Image credit: BBC Sport / BBC Sport
