Controversial call leads Paraguay over Germany in penalty shootout at World Cup

Paraguay stunned four-time FIFA World Cup champions Germany on Monday, advancing to the last 16 with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win, in a match that featured a hugely exciting but controversial moment.

That moment came in the necessary extra time after a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes and a period of stoppage time between the two opponents.

Germany dominated throughout this match, but Paraguay made the most of their A-grade chance in the first half with Julio Enciso heading in the 42nd minute. The Germans finally managed to get on the board in the 54th minute when Kai Havertz sent his own header into the goal.

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From there Germany went on the offensive and had chance after chance with some of the players from Paraguay. But as extra time began, it seemed only a matter of time before Germany scored another and took the lead.

It looked like it might happen when Jonathan Tah rose to his feet and headed in Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill’s corner kick. The German faithful at Boston Stadium went wild, but it was short-lived after the head referee went to the VAR screen to review the potential foul.

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During the corner kick, Germany’s Waldemar Anton appeared to block Gill’s movement towards the ball and ultimately defend Tah’s header. And if he was just trying to sell the foul, it worked.

Following review, the goal was disallowed with the referee declaring that Anton’s actions prevented Gill from properly getting the chance to stop the header.

At the end of the 30-minute extra time, neither side could break the 1-1 tie. As a result, the first penalty shoot-out of the tournament would determine who would advance to the round of 16 and who would go home.

Things didn’t start well for Germany when Havertz stepped up to the ball and saw Gill make a save. Maurício used this momentum and scored his first goal, putting Paraguay in a good position to win immediately.

Both sides would take the next two penalties before Nick Woltemade’s attempt was saved by Gill. Paraguay now had a chance to win, but Antonio Sanabria missed the team’s fourth penalty.

Paraguay’s Orlando Gill celebrates his team’s first goal, scored by Julio Enciso, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match against Germany at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on June 29, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Nadiem Amiri kept Germany’s hopes alive with a well-placed strike in the team’s fifth try, but as penalties were decided by five shots, Fabián Balbuena had the opportunity to win it all. But Manuel Neuer, one of the most decorated goalkeepers in football history, let alone Germany’s squad, kept the clutch going by making a save to force another run.

With their side gaining some momentum, Tah stepped into the penalty area and had the chance to score another game-winning goal, this time with his boot. But his attempt was a miserable one, heading over the crossbar and into the stands.

Paraguay, elated after this miss, sent José Canale into the penalty area and he did not disappoint. Neuer guessed wrong and Canale put his shot under the bar and Paraguay celebrated as you’d expect: pure joy.

Germany lost on penalties for the first time in the FIFA World Cup.

Germany suffered a shock on the pitch as they neared the end of their 2026 World Cup journey. And it’s hard not to think about what will happen when they appear on the scoreboard, only to have the match winner taken away by a decision that will be debated for a while.

Paraguayan midfielder Julio Enciso celebrates scoring his team’s first goal in the 2026 World Cup last 32 match against Germany at Boston Stadium in Foxborough on June 29, 2026. (Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images)

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Meanwhile, Paraguay will wait for the winner of the 32nd round match between France and Sweden, which will be played at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on Tuesday at 17:00.

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