The biggest upset so far was seen in the FIFA World Cup 2026. Paraguay, ranked 34th in the FIFA rankings, eliminated four-time world champion Germany from the World Cup by defeating them 4-3 in a penalty shootout in a thrilling match. The match remained tied at 1-1 for the stipulated 90 minutes and extra time, after which the match was decided by penalty shootout.
The score remained 1-1 for 90 minutes.
In the match, Paraguay took the lead in the 42nd minute of the first half. Miguel Almiron made a brilliant pass to Matias Galarza, who delivered an excellent cross. Standing completely free from the German defenders, Julio Enciso scored a header and gave the team a 1-0 lead. However, Germany made a comeback at the beginning of the second half. In the 52nd minute, Kai Havertz made a brilliant header on Florian Wirtz’s cross to level the score at 1-1. After this, both the teams got many chances, but no one could score a decisive goal.
In the 102nd minute of extra time it seemed that Germany had taken the lead. Jonathan Tah sent the ball into the net with a header from a corner, but a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) revealed that Waldemar Anton had pushed goalkeeper Orlando Gil. Due to this the goal was canceled and Paraguay got a big relief.
Took revenge for 24 years old defeat
After this the match was decided in the penalty shootout. Both teams remained tied till the end, but Jose Canale scored in sudden death to give Paraguay the lead. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Orlando Gil made two important saves to dash Germany’s hopes and Paraguay registered a historic 4-3 win. Almost 24 years ago, Germany defeated Paraguay 1-0 in the pre-quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup. This time Paraguay equalized the account of the same defeat. Paraguay will now face the winner of the match between France and Sweden in the last-16. If he wins the next match also, he will make it to the quarter-finals.
Disappointing campaign in the third consecutive World Cup
This defeat was even more disappointing for Germany because the team had made it to the top 10 goals scoring teams in the group stage. He also had 78 percent possession of the ball in the first half, but could not succeed in penetrating Paraguay’s strong defense. This was Germany’s first knockout match after winning the World Cup in 2014. In the last two World Cups, the German team was eliminated from the group stage itself, whereas this time, despite reaching the knockout stage, its journey ended in the round of 32.
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