Paraguay produced one of the greatest shocks in recent World Cup history by inflicting a first penalty shootout defeat at the tournament on four-time champions, Germany.
Germany sit 31 places higher than Paraguay in FIFA’s world rankings, but lost a nail-biting sudden-death shootout 4-3 on Monday night.
The game went to extra time after Kai Havertz’s header cancelled out Julio Enciso’s surprise opener, with Jonathan Tah then seeing a header controversially ruled out by VAR.
Paraguay, who had never won a World Cup knockout match before, will now face either France or Sweden in Philadelphia on July 4 for a place in the quarter-finals.
In a thrilling penalty shootout after the game ended 1-1 following the 30-minute extra time, Arsenal forward Kai Havertz and Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade both had their spot-kicks saved by goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
However, Paraguay twice missed the opportunity to go through as Antonio Sanabria shot wide and Fabian Balbuena’s effort was stopped by 40-year-old Manuel Neuer.
But in sudden death, Jonathan Tah blazed over for Germany before defender Jose Canale scored the decisive kick to send Paraguay through 4-3 on penalties.
In the match proper, Julio Enciso, who previously played in the Premier League with Brighton and Ipswich, had headed the Paraguayans into a shock lead in the 42nd minute of play.
But Germany produced a much improved performance in the second half and equalised when a glancing header from Havertz connected with a cross from Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz.
As expected, the South Americans defended superbly to take the tie to extra time, although Germany thought they had won it when Tah headed into the net, only for it to be ruled out as Waldemar Anton was adjudged to have fouled Gill.
Germany went first in the shootout, but were never ahead as Havertz missed his country’s first penalty, before Woltemade was also denied.
On their part, Paraguay missed two chances to seal it, but took their third opportunity with the impressive Canale staying calm to score and spark incredible scenes of celebration.
In the last 16 round, Paraguay will have a date with either two-time champions France or 1958 runners-up Sweden in Philadelphia on Saturday at 22:00 BST. – With agency reports
