BOSTON — Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro described his players as “legends” after they produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 World Cup, eliminating four-time champion Germany in a penalty shootout to reach the round of 16.
Paraguay prevailed 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra time, handing Germany its first-ever World Cup defeat in a shootout and sending the South American nation into the knockout stage with one of the most memorable victories in its football history.
“We never believe that we are beaten,” Alfaro said after the match. “Twenty-six warriors went out there and they came back as legends.”
The result marked a remarkable turnaround for Paraguay, which had opened the tournament with a heavy 4-1 defeat to co-host the United States and scored only one goal across its remaining two group-stage matches. Alfaro had faced criticism over the team’s cautious approach, but Paraguay recovered to qualify for the knockout rounds before producing its biggest performance of the tournament.
The Argentine coach said the painful opening defeat ultimately helped prepare his squad for Monday’s challenge.
“If we had not learned from the loss, we would not have been prepared for this match,” Alfaro said. “I told the players that we have lived through an epic evening.”
Paraguay took the lead against the run of play late in the first half when Julio Enciso headed home in the 42nd minute. Germany responded after the break through Kai Havertz, setting up a tense contest that remained deadlocked through extra time.
The South Americans then defended resolutely, surviving sustained German pressure and a disallowed goal before the match was decided from the penalty spot.
Although Paraguay briefly looked in danger after missing two penalties during the shootout, defender Jose Canale converted the decisive kick to complete the upset and spark jubilant celebrations among players and supporters.
Alfaro reserved special praise for Canale, whose professional career has included a series of loan spells with clubs in Paraguay, Argentina and Mexico before his World Cup breakthrough.
“Canale is one of life’s champions because he has had to go through a lot of adversity,” Alfaro said. “A night like this is one of the gifts that life can give you. It’s divine justice.”
Paraguay will now face the winner of Tuesday’s round-of-32 match between France and Sweden, with a place in the World Cup quarterfinals at stake on July 4.
After ending Germany’s tournament in dramatic fashion, Paraguay arrives in the next round carrying renewed confidence and the belief that another upset may yet be possible.
