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Paraguay survive bizarre batch of penalties to oust Germany from 2026 World Cup in huge upset
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- Paraguay survive bizarre batch of penalties to oust Germany from 2026 World Cup in huge upset
Paraguay stunned four-time World Cup champions Germany after 120 minutes and a bizarre batch of penalties on Monday to reach the Round of 16.
Germany entered the World Cup ranked 10th by FIFA while Paraguay were 41, but 120 minutes of play left it 1-1 and Paraguay outlasted Germany 4-3 in spot kicks.
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Julio Enciso put La Albirroja up before halftime with a terrific header off a cross from Atlanta United 's Matias Galarza as the heavy underdogs took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
Dangerous forward Kai Havertz made it 1-1 just after halftime, but the game stretched into extra time and even those extra 30 minutes could not find a winner for either side despite Germany enjoying 75% of the ball.
That's when things got real spicy.
Germany, Paraguay trade advantages in penalties at World Cup
San Lorenzo goalkeeper Orlando Gill made the first statement in the duels from the spot, as he stopped Kai Havertz to give Paraguay an advantage before they attempted a kick.
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Mauricio then made it 1-0 for Paraguay as the teams traded makes until Nick Woltemade was well-saved by Gill.
It was 3-2 to Paraguay and Antonio Sanabria missed the goal with his chance to win it. Nadiem Amiri then tied it at 3-3.
It was then Manuel Neuer 's turn for brilliance as the 40-year-old parried Fabian Balbuena's kick, but Jonathan Tah answered by sending his kick way over the bar.
Center back Jose Canale then delivered himself hero status against the Germans, who so often have thrived from the spot in their long and storied history.
