Paraguay shocks the world, beating Germany in PK's on day two of the World Cup 2026 Round of 32

The second day of the knockout rounds featured three matchups, but one was the most lopsided on paper and delivered maybe the biggest upset of the 2026 World Cup. Germany took on Paraguay in the round of 32, both getting to this game in very different ways.

Germany won Group E, winning two of three matches, scoring 10 goals and conceding just four. Paraguay finished in third place in Group D, losing to the USA, beating Turkiye, and drawing with Australia. The South Americans did just enough to make the knockout rounds, and their reward was a match against the heavyweight Germany.

General view inside the stadium before the match

Pilar Olivares

World Cup Round of 32  - Germany vs Paraguay

Germany's 4-2-3-1 formation under head coach Julian Nagelsmann was all about possession and dominance. However, that German style doesn't equal a plethora of goals against teams that weren't playing in their first World Cup. If anything, Germany was trending in the wrong direction game after game, winning 7-1, then 2-1, then losing 2-1, coming into this game.

Paraguay played in their 4-4-2, built to handle pressure and then utilize speedy attackers to hit on the counterattack. Gustavo Alfaro's side had a topsy-turvy World Cup to get to this game. Losing their first game put them behind the eight ball. Following that up with a win bolstered their belief, but a 0-0 draw in the final group-stage game was underwhelming. This match was anything but that.

Paraguay's Julio Enciso scores their first goal

Brian Snyder

The game began and played out the way both teams wanted. Germany had almost 80% possession, completed 309 passes, and had 14 touches in Paraguay's box. Unfortunately for them, they could not find a way to score. Paraguay held them to just five shots in the first half, and none of them on target.

Paraguay weathered Germany's storm, and just before halftime, they found a way to get their best chance at goal. A corner was put into the box in the 42nd minute, and Julio Enciso was able to get his head on the ball. The effort beat Manuel Neuer, and Paraguay had a shocking lead. They took that into halftime, and knew another flawless 45 minutes, and they'd be through to the Round of 16. 

Germany's Jonathan Tah scores their second goal past Paraguay's Orlando Gill before it is disallowed after a VAR review

Pilar Olivares

Germany was not about to be put down easily; they still dominated the ball and pushed the tempo just as the second half started. In under 10 minutes, they drew level as Kai Havertz headed home a cross to make it 1-1, and for the remaining half hour, the match showcased Germany going forward, while Paraguay repelled them and created counters that led to nothing.

Each team had one more big chance inside 90 minutes, but neither could capitalize. The game was very open as Germany pushed numbers forward, trying to will their way to a win, but they couldn't get the ball into the back of the net. This led Paraguay to spring forward with more counterattacks, giving them much-needed respites from defending for their lives. The match was tied 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes, prompting the first extra-time game of this World Cup.

Paraguay's Julio Enciso celebrates scoring their first goal with Gustavo Gomez

Peter Cziborra

The two fifteen-minute periods of extra time were more of the same as the first 90 minutes. The only major chance came from Germany, who seemed to have scored from a corner as Tah rose above the rest to nod the chance home. However, a VAR review showed that German attacker Anton prevented Paraguay goalkeeper Gill from reaching the cross. It was no goal, and Paraguay breathed a sigh of relief. They defended strongly for 30 minutes, allowing no shots. The match went to 120 minutes, still 1-1, and then into dreaded PKs to decide who would move on.

Germany shot first in the first of five spot kicks, and Havertz had his penalty saved by Gill. The momentum swung Paraguay's way when Mauricio scored to give them a 1-0 lead after the first round of shots. Rounds two and three beat the keepers for both teams, making it 3-2 Paraguay. Germany missed in round four, and Paraguay had the chance to win it, but they missed their chance as well. Germany made their fifth kick, while Paraguay missed its. It was tied 3-3 and went to sudden-death kicks. Germany went first, and Tah skied his kick into the stands, while Paraguay's José Canale sent Neuer the wrong way to win it for the South Americans!

In a shocking upset, Paraguay is moving on to the Round of 16, and Germany is going home. This is a huge success for Paraguay, who now move on to Philadelphia for a Fourth of July clash vs either Sweden or France. This is an unmitigated disaster for the Germans, and while they did make the knockout rounds for the first time since 2014, a loss in the Round of 32 will mean major changes for the European power.

Day 3 of the Round of 32

Day three of the Round of 32 is underway now. Will we see more upsets, more late-game drama, more penalty shootouts? Tune in to see all the action unfold!

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