◤FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico◢ Germany crash out and eliminated at the Round of 32s following a shock 4-3 penalty shootout loss against Paraguay..

Germany suffered a shock defeat to Paraguay 4-3 on penalties in Monday's Rounds of 32 match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico at the Gillette Stadium in Boston, exiting the tournament in a major upset.

In the first half, Enciso scored with a header. In the second half, Kimmich's clearance error in his own penalty area nearly led to Germany conceding a goal, Havertz then scored with a header. In extra time, Tah's goal was disallowed due to a foul, and Anton's header was saved on the goal line. During the penalty shootout, both sides have some missed penalties, and their goalkeepers also made saves. In the crucial moments, Tah's penalty flew high out of the pitch, while Canale calmly converted his chance, with Neuer even misjudging the situation. In the end, Paraguay pulled off a shock 4-3 penalty shootout victory, eliminating four-time champions Germany and advance to the Round of 16s.

First Half

In the 2nd minute, Paraguay earned a corner kick opportunity. Julio Enciso took the corner by crossing it into the box. After stopping the ball, Júnior Alonso strucked the ball with his left foot from a difficult angle at a very close distance in the box, but his shot was blocked by Felix Nmecha.

40 minutes later, Matías Galarza crossed into the box from the byline at the right wing, where Julio Enciso headed the ball into the net, giving Paraguay a 0-1 lead first! This was the Strasbourg attacking midfielder's 12th goal for Paraguay in all competitions!

In the 2nd minute of first-half stoppage time, Felix Nmecha's cross from the right side of the box was deflected by José Canale and went wide of the left side of the post.

At halftime, Germany temporarily enter the break trailing Paraguay by 1-0.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 50th minute, Paraguay launched a thrilling counter-attack. Joshua Kimmich made a clearance error in his own penalty area, allowing Enciso to intercept the ball and, from a very close distance in the box, unleash a right-footed shot at the outrushing Manuel Neuer, but his shot was ultimately saved and parried away by the latter! Germany almost suffered another humiliation!

4 minutes later, Florian Wirtz crossed into the box from the left wing, where Kai Havertz headed the ball into the net, Germany levelled the score at 1-1! This was the Arsenal striker's 12th goal of the season for his club and country in all competitions!

In the 79th minute, Wirtz crossed into the box from the left wing, where Havertz rose high and attempted with a header, howerver his effort was saved by Orlando Gill.

In the first minute of injury time, Germany earned a corner kick opportunity. Nathaniel Brown took the corner by crossing it into the box. Jonathan Tah, unmarked, attempted a free header in thel box, however his effort was saved by Gill.

As the stoppage time ended, and with the score still 1-1, the match went into extra time.

First Half of Extra Time

In the 102nd minute, Germany earned a corner kick opportunity. Nathaniel Brown took the corner by crossing it into the box. Jonathan Tah rose high and headed the ball into the net, but the VAR assistant referee immediately intervened. After reviewing the VAR, the referee confirmed that Valdemar Anton had pushed Gill during the play, therefore the goal was disallowed!

However, the refereeing team's decision immediately sparked huge controversy. Arsenal had scored several similar goals in the recently concluded Premier League season that were ruled valid, reigniting public outcry against the refereeing team and the VAR replay system for perceived unfairness.

3 minutes later, Wirtz crossed into the box from the left wing, where Havertz rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort was saved by Gill.

Second Half of Extra Time

In the 118th minute, Germany earned a corner kick opportunity. Brown took the corner by crossing it into the box, where Anton headed the ball, however his effort was saved on the goal line by Gill! Germany missed a golden chance to take the lead and win the game!

The whistle blew for the end of extra time, and the match went to penalties.

Penalties

Germany will take the penalty first. First penalty – Havertz's left-footed shot was saved by Gill; Maurício then converted with his left foot.

Second penalty - Kimmich and Gustavo Gómez both converted with their right-footed attempt.

Third penalty - Jamal Musiala and Galarza both scored.

Fourth penalty - Nick Woltemade's right-footed shot was saved by Gill; Antonio Sanabria's right-footed shot went wide of the left post.

Fifth penalty - Nadiem Amiri converted with his right-footed attempt; Fabian Balbuena's right-footed shot was saved by Neuer.

Final penalty - Tah's right-footed shot flew high and went out of the pitch; while José Canale converted with his left-footed attempt, Neuer even misjudged the shot!

When the final whistle is blown, Paraguay pulled off a stunning 4-3 victory over Germany in a penalty shootout, eliminating them from the tournament.

Image source: Internet / FIFA official website