Germany Faces Shock World Cup Knockout After Penalty Shootout with Paraguay
June 29, 2026 ยท By yayscore Newsroom
Updated:
Published by Yayscore LTD. Match data from licensed providers.
This report was generated from licensed match data with automated assistance and reviewed by a yayscore editor before publication. Editorial standards
Germany crashed out of the World Cup Round of 32 after an intense 1-1 draw against Paraguay culminated in a dramatic penalty shootout defeat.
Germany's World Cup campaign ended prematurely in a stunning Round of 32 clash as they were eliminated by a resolute Paraguay side. The match, a tightly contested single-leg knockout tie, saw both teams trade blows before the South Americans ultimately prevailed in a penalty shootout after 120 minutes of action.
Paraguay opened the scoring against the run of play when J. Enciso found the net in the 42nd minute, sending shockwaves through the German camp. The lead, however, was short-lived as Germany responded just nine minutes into the second half with K. Havertz levelling the score at 1-1 in the 54th minute, assisted by F. Wirtz. Both teams made tactical substitutions throughout the second half and extra time in a bid to find a winner, but neither could break the deadlock.
The game descended into a feisty affair in extra time, characterized by numerous fouls and yellow cards for both sides, including Germany's Kai Havertz and coach J. Nagelsmann. A crucial VAR decision disallowed a potential winning goal for Germany's J. Tah in the 102nd minute, adding to the tension. With no further goals after 120 minutes, the match proceeded to penalties. Germany's campaign ended with a missed penalty from K. Havertz, sealing their unexpected exit.
This defeat marks a significant upset in the World Cup 2026, with Germany, a perennial contender, failing to advance past the Round of 32. For Paraguay, this victory is a monumental achievement, propelling them into the next knockout round and marking a memorable moment in their World Cup history.