Paraguay Advances to World Cup Round of 16 After Beating Germany on Penalties

Germany was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after losing to Paraguay 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw that extended into extra time. The match stayed level after regulation and additional time. A goal by Jonathan Tah in the 102nd minute was disallowed after a VAR review for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Paraguay converted enough penalties to win while Germany missed three attempts. Paraguay reached the Round of 16 for the first time. The result marks the first time Germany has lost a World Cup penalty shootout and its earliest exit since 2018.

Julian Nagelsmann, 38, coached Germany and started an offensive lineup that gave Deniz Undav his first appearance of the tournament. Nagelsmann became the youngest coach in a World Cup knockout-stage match in 40 years. Germany has not won a knockout-stage match since the 2014 final.

German media outlets described the performance in strong terms. ” Süddeutsche Zeitung said the exit was more “embarrassing” than the 2022 group-stage elimination. Jürgen Klopp, working for German television, told MagentaTV that if Tah’s disallowed goal was illegal then Arsenal would not be English champions because they have scored 60 per cent of their goals that way.