Four-time champions Germany suffered a historic shock exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 29, 2026, losing 4-3 on penalties to Paraguay after a 1-1 draw through extra time in the Round of 32 clash in Boston.

Tense 120 Minutes in Foxborough

Germany and Paraguay traded goals at Gillette Stadium, leading to a nerve-wracking extra time session.

Paraguay’s goalkeeper saved two penalties in the shootout to secure a historic spot in the Round of 16.

The early exit prompted immediate technical discussions within the German Football Association.

Match Summary

The Scoreline: Julio Enciso gave underdog Paraguay a first-half lead before Kai Havertz equalized for Germany in the 54th minute.
The Drama: The game remained deadlocked at 1-1 through extra time, featuring a controversial VAR-disallowed goal for Germany that heavily fueled post-match discussions.
The Shootout: Paraguay held their nerve to win 4-3 on penalties, with defender Jose Canale slotting home the decisive kick.

Historical Significance

First Time for Germany: This marked Germany’s first-ever penalty shootout loss at a FIFA World Cup, having successfully won their previous four.
Continued Struggles: The defeat marks the third consecutive tournament where Germany has failed to make a deep run past the early knockout rounds, following group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022.
A Massive Upset: Ranked 41st heading into the tournament, Gustavo Alfaro’s resilient Paraguay side pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the competition, prompting celebratory national holidays back home.