Germany have been eliminated from the World Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay, with the Round of 32 clash at Boston Stadium ending 2-2 after extra time before La Albirroja triumphed in the spot-kick lottery.
Julio Enciso had given Paraguay an early lead before Kai Havertz equalised for Germany in the second half, sending the match into extra time at 1-1. Germany pushed relentlessly for a winner, with substitute Nick Woltemade introduced in place of Leroy Sané in search of fresh attacking energy, but Paraguay goalkeeper Roberto “Gatito” Fernández produced a series of outstanding saves to keep his side level deep into extra time. With both teams unable to find a decisive breakthrough across 120 minutes, the score remained 2-2, sending the contest to penalties.
Paraguay held their nerve in the shootout to dump Germany out of the tournament, in one of the biggest shocks of this year’s competition. The result ends Germany’s World Cup campaign in the last 32, a far earlier exit than many had predicted for one of the traditional powerhouses of the tournament, and represents a historic achievement for Paraguay, who now progress into the knockout rounds at the expense of a four-time World Cup winning nation.
