Germany Knocked Out Of FIFA World Cup 2026 After 3-4 Defeat In Penalty Shootout Against Paraguay

Four-time champions Germany have been knocked out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The European giants suffered a shocking 4-3 defeat to Paraguay in a penalty shootout in their Round of 32 match on Monday (Tuesday IST) after the two teams were locked at 1-1 following extra time.

Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah failed to convert their spot-kicks for Germany, while Antonio Sanabria and Fabián Balbuena missed for Paraguay. However, José Canale converted the decisive penalty in sudden death to seal Paraguay’s first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout victory.

Paraguay power into the Round of 16 on penalties! 💪#FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 29, 2026

Before their defeat to Paraguay, Germany had never lost a penalty shootout in a FIFA

World Cup match. That remarkable record came to an end at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.

The victory over Germany was also Paraguay’s second win in a penalty shootout at the FIFA World Cup. Their previous shootout triumph came against Japan in the Round of 16 of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

It marked another premature exit for Germany who were playing in their first knockout-stage appearance since winning the 2014 World Cup.

Paraguay celebrated arguably their greatest win at the tournament, but they face the daunting prospect of running into an in-form France next should Les Bleus beat Sweden.

Julian Nagelsmann handed Deniz Undav his first start of the tournament, after the Stuttgart striker scored three times in the opening two games as a substitute.

He came in for Jamal Musiala as Nathaniel Brown returned at left-back, having missed the Ecuador loss as a precaution due to a minor injury.

Miguel Almiron was recalled by Paraguay following a one-match ban after becoming the first player to be sent off for covering his mouth during an on-field confrontation under new FIFA rules.

Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro had urged his players to grasp the opportunity of a lifetime, and they did it with both hands.

Julio Enciso headed Paraguay into a shock lead before half-time, but Kai Havertz levelled for Germany on 54 minutes with his third goal of the tournament.

Jonathan Tah saw a goal disallowed after a VAR review in extra time, before Paraguay held on to shock Germany in a wild, nerve-jangling shootout as the momentum swung back and forth.