PARAGUAY pulled off one of the biggest World Cup upsets by beating Germany 4-3 on penalties in their round of 32 clash in Boston in the early hours of today.
Four-time winners Germany needed a second-half goal from Kai Havertz to make the score 1-1 after Julio Enciso had given Paraguay a shock 42nd minute lead.
There were no further goals in extra-time and the contest became the first one at the 2026 World Cup to go to penalties.
Arsenal forward Havertz and Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade both had their spot-kicks saved by the impressive Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
But Paraguay twice missed chances to go through as Antonio Sanabria shot wide and Fabian Balbuena’s effort was stopped by 40-year-old Manuel Neuer.
However, in sudden death, Jonathan Tah blazed over for Germany before defender Jose Canale netted the decisive kick to send Paraguay through 4-3 on penalties.
Germany have now been eliminated early from the World Cup in each of the three editions after their 2014 triumph in Brazil.
