Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to reach the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Germany’s tournament ended in the Round of 32 after the shootout defeat. The match remained level after 90 minutes and extra time. Paraguay scored four penalties to eliminate Germany.
Germany struggle to beat Paraguay
Germany entered the match as one of the stronger sides in the knockout stage. The team had scored nine goals in the group stage, including a 7-1 win over Curaçao.
Paraguay had a different route to the Round of 32. The South American side finished second in Group D after drawing with Australia and beating Turkey, before qualifying behind the United States.
Both teams scored once during the match, but neither scored again before the shootout. Germany had more experience in major tournament knockout games, but Paraguay stayed level and won the shootout.
Penalties send Germany home
The penalty shootout finished 4-3 to Paraguay. Germany missed twice, while Paraguay converted four of its five attempts to secure a place in the next round.
Germany have now exited early in three of their last four World Cup appearances. The four-time champions went out in the group stage at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups before reaching the Round of 32 in 2026.
Germany had won Group E ahead of Ecuador, Ivory Coast and Curaçao. The team beat Curaçao 7-1 and Ivory Coast 2-1, then lost 2-1 to Ecuador in its final group match.
Paraguay move into Round of 16
Paraguay will face the winner of France against Sweden in the Round of 16 on July 4. France and Sweden play their Round of 32 match on June 30. The win gives Paraguay a place among the final 16 teams. It is also the team’s first World Cup knockout victory since the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
Paraguay reached the quarter-finals in 2010 after beating Japan on penalties in the Round of 16. The team then lost 1-0 to Spain, which went on to win the tournament.
Paraguay’s next match
Paraguay’s Round of 16 match will be played on July 4. The winner will advance to a quarter-final against either Canada or Morocco.
Canada beat South Africa 1-0 in the first Round of 32 match. Morocco then eliminated the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after their match ended 1-1.
Germany’s exit leaves Paraguay as the Group D representative still in the tournament. The team will now prepare for another knockout test against France or Sweden.