Germany v Paraguay - Round of 32 result as Die Mannschaft suffer first World Cup penalty shoot-out defeat as Paraguay advance to last 16

Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw to progress to the last 16 and dump Die Mannschaft out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The contest quickly fell into a pattern that would go on to mark the majority of the first half, with Paraguay defending deep on the edge of their own box, frustrating a Germany side who lacked a cutting edge to break through.

By the time the first hydration break rolled around, Germany had 83% possession and had completed 170 passes compared to Paraguay’s 21, although they failed to register a single shot on target.

Paraguay, who had defended brilliantly all half, took a shock lead in the 42nd minute thanks to a header from Julio Enciso. The ball was fed back to Miguel Almiron following his corner, with the former Newcastle United man then slipping in Matias Galarza down the right-hand side and he sent a cross into the box and Enciso was on hand to head home Paraguay’s first goal in the knockout stages of a World Cup.

Germany changed their approach in the second half, opting to put crosses into the box rather than play through Paraguay and it was a change that quickly paid dividends, with Florian Wirtz sending a great cross in which Kai Havertz was able to nod home to even it up.

The two sides could not be separated in normal time and the match went into extra time. There was a huge VAR controversy in the first half of extra-time, with Jonathan Tah heading home to seemingly put Germany ahead. That was until the goal was ruled out for what was deemed to be a foul on the goalkeeper, a decision that incensed the Germany coaching staff - with Julian Nagelsmann being shown a yellow card.

With the match still locked at 1-1 at the end of extra time, penalties were required to separate the two teams.

Kai Havertz missed Germany's first and Nick Woltemade failed to convert their fourth, whilst Paraguay scored all of their first three, opening up the opportunity for Antonio Sanabria to win the match, but he failed to do so, firing his penalty wide and the shoot-out continued.

Germany, usually so reliable from the spot, gave Paraguay another chance to win when Tah blazed his effort over, and it was a chance that they did not spurn, with Jose Canale making no mistake from the spot to send Paraguay through and Germany out of the World Cup.

Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay progress 4-3 on penalties)

Paraguay are through to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup and Germany are out!

Canale scores and Paraguay have knocked Germany out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup!

Jonathan Tah blazes his penalty well over the bar and once again, Paraguay have an opportunity to progress!

It's level in the shootout! Balbuena's penalty is saved by Manuel Neuer.

Amiri scores from the spot.

Antonio Sanabria has missed his penalty! He fires it wide of the post and Germany survive for now!

An absolutely awful penalty from Nick Woltemade is saved by Orlando Gill. Paraguay are one kick away!

A superb penalty from Galarza, stroking it into the corner.

Jamal Musiala squeezes his effort into the bottom corner.

Gustavo Gomez with a brilliantly calm penalty, stroking home into the corner.

Joshua Kimmich makes no mistake from the spot, thumping his effort into the bottom corner.

Mauricio converts his penalty to put Paraguay 1-0 up in the shootout.

Orlando Gill guesses the right way to deny Kai Havertz!

Balbuena is on for Alonso.

Amiri fires his free-kick into the side netting.

Galarza takes Havertz and Germany have a free kick with just seconds left.

The corner is sent in, Anton meets it around five-yards out but fires it straight at the goalkeeper.

Matias Galarza is booked.