Germany's World Cup Heartbreak: Eliminated by Paraguay on Penalties at 2026 World Cup
- Germany 1-1 Paraguay (29 Jun 2026, Boston): Paraguay eliminate Germany on penalty kicks.
- Enciso gave Paraguay the lead with a header, Havertz equalized for Germany; goalkeeper Orlando Gill saved two penalties and Canale scored the decisive one.
- It is Germany's third consecutive World Cup failure (after group stages in 2018 and 2022); Paraguay will play the Round of 16 on 4 July.
Absolute bombshell in the Round of 16: Germany is OUT of the 2026 World Cup. The four-time world champions fell to a heroic Paraguay on penalties (1-1 after 120 minutes) in Boston, and it's yet another World Cup disaster to add to the Mannschaft's darkening history.
The match. Paraguay came to play from the start. Julio Enciso, the shortest player on the pitch, rose above centre-backs nearly two metres tall to head in the 0-1 before the half-hour. Germany levelled from the air: Kai Havertz, with his back to goal, diverted a Florian Wirtz cross into the net. A Jonathan Tah goal was ruled out and everything went to penalties.
The mad shootout. The hero was Paraguayan keeper Orlando Gill, who saved two penalties and got the Albirroja one foot into the quarter-finals. Germany, with veteran Neuer leading the charge, forced sudden death… but Gill showed up again to stop Tah's effort, and José Canale tucked away the penalty that sent Paraguay through and Germany packing.
Another German disaster, and that makes three… Group stage in 2018, group stage in 2022 and now Round of 16 in 2026: the side that was once unstoppable has strung together three consecutive World Cup meltdowns. Nagelsmann is taking serious heat. Paraguay, meanwhile, make history and will play the quarter-finals on 4 July in Philadelphia against the winner of France-Sweden.
📊 Match report: lineups, stats and scoreline · 📋 All the matchups
Frequently asked questions
Was Germany eliminated from the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. They fell to Paraguay on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Boston on 29 June 2026. It is their third major World Cup failure in a row following the group stages in 2018 and 2022.
Who scored the goals in the Germany-Paraguay match?
Julio Enciso put Paraguay ahead with a header and Kai Havertz equalized for Germany with a finish from a Florian Wirtz cross. The match was decided on penalties.
Who was Paraguay's hero?
Goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who saved two penalties (including the decisive one from Tah). José Canale scored the penalty kick that sent Paraguay through to the round of 16.
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