CORNERFLICK
Paraguay recorded the first shock of the 2026 World Cup by beating Germany 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Boston.
Germany had most of the ball in the first half but found Paraguay’s deep defence hard to break down. Paraguay made one of their few attacks count in the 43rd minute, when Julio Enciso punished slack German defending to put them ahead.
Germany responded after the break and levelled in the 54th minute through Kai Havertz, who scored his third goal of the tournament. Niklas Süle later thought he had put Germany ahead in extra time, only for VAR to rule the goal out for a foul on Paraguay’s goalkeeper.
The match went to penalties, where Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala and Nadiem Amiri scored for Germany, while Havertz, Niclas Füllkrug and Jonathan Tah missed. Paraguay were perfect from the spot as Mauricio, Gustavo Gómez, Matías Galarza and José Canale converted to send them through.
Paraguay will face the winner of France against Sweden in the last 16. Jallal Jayed of Morocco officiated, and cards were shown to Andrès Cubas, Gustavo Gómez, Matías Galarza and Havertz.