Nerves, misses and penalties at the World Cup: Paraguay’s late shock sends Germany home

Last Updated on 30 June 2026

Paraguay had it won. Twice. And twice, they let it slip through their fingers. What followed was pure theatre: the kind that makes World Cup history.

By the time Jose Canale finally put Germany out of their misery, Boston Stadium had witnessed one of the most agonising, gloriously chaotic shootouts the tournament has ever produced.

Here’s how it all unfolded at the first penalty shoot-out of the World Cup 2026.

Paraguay blow two chances but get a third bite of the cherry

The match itself had simmered for 120 minutes without resolution. Julio Enciso headed Paraguay into a shock 42nd-minute lead, before Kai Havertz equalised for Germany eight minutes after the restart. Extra time arrived, and with it, controversy.

Jonathan Tah put Germany 2-1 ahead from a corner, only for VAR to rule the goal out after Waldemar Anton was deemed to have fouled ‘keeper Orlando Gil moments earlier. Penalties followed, and that is when the drama began. Paraguay raced into a commanding lead.

They reached 3-2 in the shootout, needing only one more successful kick to complete the upset. Antonio Sanabria stepped up with the chance to send Germany home and dragged his effort horribly wide of the post. Germany survived.

The Albirroja’s celebration died in their throats. Moments later, Paraguay again stood on the brink, only for the next kicker to falter as well, gifting Germany a second lifeline they barely deserved. Twice Paraguay reached for the knockout blow. Twice it slipped away.

Finally, sudden death arrived, and this time there was no mercy. Germany’s Jonathan Tah missed his attempt, and Jose Canale stepped up and smashed his penalty home to complete a 4-3 shootout win. Paraguay’s players sprinted toward each other in disbelief.

It is the one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. And, since rankings began in 1992 it is the fourth biggest upset in knock-outs, while also being Germany’s first ever loss in a penalty shootout at a men’s World Cup. Hell might just freeze over, at this point.

Late drama is becoming this World Cup’s defining trait

Paraguay’s shootout marathon arrived on the same day Brazil needed a stoppage-time winner to see off a spirited Japan side, continuing a pattern that has now repeated itself throughout the knockout rounds.

Canada’s own historic breakthrough against South Africa came via Stephen Eustaquio’s 92nd-minute strike, snatched in the very last act of the match. Three knockout games. Three results decided in the dying embers, or beyond them entirely.

There is something almost theatrical about how this tournament refuses to settle early. Matches that should be decided by the 70th minute are instead dragging deep into stoppage time, extra time, and now, for the first time in 2026, into the lottery of penalties.

Whether it is fatigue in the heat, caution, or simply the chaos, the trend is unmistakable. This World Cup is not deciding its fates early. It is making everyone wait until the very last moment and Paraguay, Brazil, Canada have all benefited from precisely that nerve.