Paraguay stun Germany on penalties to reach World Cup last 16

FOXBOROUGH, Massachussets, June 29 : Paraguay stunned four-time world champions Germany 4-3 on penalties on Monday to advance to the World Cup round of 16 in one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history, after the teams were tied 1-1 over 120 minutes.

Jose Canale hit the decisive penalty to give the underdogs a memorable victory and spark wild celebrations, as they advanced to the next round where they will face either title contenders France or Sweden in the last 16.

The Germans saw Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah fail to score from the spot before Canale, after two misses by the South Americans, kept his composure to seal their win.

For the Germans, who had a Tah header disallowed in extra time, it was a bitter defeat and the first time they lost a penalty shootout at a World Cup.

It was the biggest win at the tournament for the South Americans, who reached the quarter-finals in 2010 and had not qualified since, while Germany's international reputation is now in tatters after consecutive World Cup group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022.

"I think the feeling we have is difficult to explain," a beaming Paraguay captain Gustavo Gomez said. "I’m very proud of my teammates and of this group. Today was a match in which we had to be Paraguay more than ever."

"I think deep down Germany knew that if they wanted to beat us, they would have to sweat blood, because we were going to make defeat very, very expensive for them," he said.

Germany's Julian Nagelsmann, who at the age of 38 became the youngest coach in a World Cup knockout stage in 40 years, will now be under massive pressure once he returns home after yet another World Cup debacle.

"I am disappointed. It was just not enough to beat this opponent," said