The Paraguayan team wrote one of the most memorable pages in its history by eliminating Germany in the round of 32 after winning 4-3 in the penalty shootout, after tying 1-1 during regulation time and overtime, in Boston.
The Guaraní team advanced to the round of 16 and achieved an unprecedented feat: gave Germany its first defeat in a penalty shootout in a World Cup. Until this match, the Mannschaft had won the four rounds it played in the tournament.
The great protagonist was goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who saved two shots from the penalty spot and was decisive for Paraguay’s classification. Adding to his performance was the failure of German defender Jonathan Tah, whose shot sealed the European elimination.
The match was even from start to finish. Germany tried to impose its traditional control of the ball and tactical order, while Paraguay opted for defensive solidity and speed in transitions.
After the 1-1 draw in the 90 minutes of regulation, both teams played a 30-minute extra time without managing to break the tie, so the qualifier was determined in the penalty shootout.
A historic streak is broken
Until this match, Germany had won all of its penalty shootout matches at the World Cup:
- Spain 1982 (semifinal): 5-4 to France
- Mexico 1986 (quarterfinals): 4-1 to Mexico
- Italy 1990 (semifinal): 4-3 to England
- Germany 2006 (quarterfinals): 4-2 to Argentina
That record consolidated the reputation of the German team as a specialist in this type of finishing, a mark that Paraguay ended.
#EYEYEYEY – Paraguay 🇵🇾 is the FIRST team to win a penalty shootout against Germany 🇩🇪 in the ENTIRE history of the World Cup. Germany had not lost a tiebreaker in an official competition for 50 years (Euro 1976), but Paraguayan eggs are…
— MisterChip (Alexis) (@2010MisterChip) June 29, 2026
Revenge for Albirroja
In addition to the sporting impact, the victory represents revenge for Paraguay. Twenty-four years after the elimination against Germany in the World Cup Korea-Japan 2002, Albirroja defeated the European team in a decisive instance. Paraguay resisted against a historically dominant rival and ended up winning from the penalty spot.
With Orlando Gill as a figure and a solid team in all its lines, Paraguay confirmed that discipline, conviction and effectiveness can change history. The night in Boston will go down as one of the most important in Paraguayan soccer, breaking a historic streak for Germany and advancing to the next round of the World Cup.