Paraguay eliminated Germany from the World Cup after a 1-1 draw in Foxborough was settled by penalties. José Canale converted the decisive sudden-death kick after misses from Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah left Germany exposed.
Julio Enciso had put Paraguay ahead with a first-half header before Havertz equalized early in the second half. Germany pushed hard in extra time and thought Jonathan Tah had found a winner, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review.
The result is especially striking because Germany had never previously lost a World Cup shootout and had built a strong penalty reputation in major tournaments. Paraguay, meanwhile, turned a tense knockout match into one of the tournament’s biggest results, helped by goalkeeper Orlando Gill’s late saves and shootout presence.
Paraguay now move on to face the winner of France vs Sweden in the round of 16 in Philadelphia. For Germany, the exit raises difficult questions after another World Cup campaign ended far earlier than their ambitions suggested.
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