When Paraguay’s Jose Canale scored the game-winning penalty in the shootout against Germany, the stadium erupted. All night, it felt like an upset was brewing in Gillette Stadium.
There were many reasons why Paraguay’s victory in the World Cup’s round of 32 knockout stage was shocking on Monday night. The match ended tied, 1-1, after extra time. Paraguay stepped up with no fear, without abandon, and with nothing to lose it buried its penalties and won 4-3 in the shootout.
After scoring in the 42nd minute and hanging on with a low block for the ensuing 78 minutes, Paraguay’s efforts were rewarded.
The jubilation by the team and crowd was palpable. The crowd sang its encouraging chants and cheered on the squad long after the match ended. Tears streamed down the faces of fans, young and old. It was pure joy.
Paraguay’s Jose Canale rushed to the corner to celebrate defeating Germany in a penalty shootout, 4-3, in the World Cup Round of 32. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Paraguayan fans chanted throughout the match, but broke down into pure screams of joy after the upset over Germany at Boston Stadium on June 29, 2026. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Even in the upper bowl of Boston Stadium, Paraguayan fans celebrated as they looked down upon their countries biggest upset victory in the World Cup. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor
Paraguay had only won one knockout stage match before, in 2010 against Japan. It had just defeated Germany, perhaps one of the greatest national teams in history. The Germans had four World Cup championships and had never lost a penalty shootout in the tournament before.
It was the fourth-biggest upset in a knockout-stage match at the World Cup since FIFA started tracking national team rankings in 1992. Paraguay was ranked 33rd and Germany 12th in the world.
The Paraguayan president, Santiago Pena, declared a national holiday on Tuesday to celebrate.
Julio Enciso’s goal in that first half for Paraguay sparked what is widely regarded as one of the most surprising upsets of the tournament.
After a corner kick was cleared by the Germans, Paraguay regrouped quickly and rotated the ball to Matias Galarza. Galarza quickly crossed a ball into the running Enciso to go ahead, 1-0.
Many of the storylines within this Paraguayan were brought to light after the win. They were overlooked after losing to the United States in the opening match, 4-1.
The 29-year-old Canale had only played a total of 74 minutes for his national team before the World Cup. He was never a star for his country like Enciso or Miguel Almiron, both of whom played for European club teams. In the biggest moment in his country’s soccer history, he made it count.
Goalkeeper Orlando Gill was a hero for Paraguay. He had six crucial saves during regular time and saved two penalties in the shootout. He set the team up for victory.
Paraguay’s legendary goalkeeper, Jose Luis Chilavert, criticized Gill’s leadership and attitude on the pitch before the tournament even started. Gill let his saves do the talking on Monday.
Just looking at the squad values, Paraguay’s entire national team was valued at 153.65 million Euros. Germany, on the other hand, was valued at around 947 million. The difference in the value, the history and the perceived talent gap could not have been wider.
The media pressure was immense on this German side that had disappointed in the last two World Cups. It failed to make it out of the group stages in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022.
Yet it still had household names on the team. Led by perennial keeper Manuel Neuer and captain Joshua Kimmich, the Germans had a talented squad with potential for a deep run. After a successful effort to make it to the quarterfinals in the 2024 UEFA European Championship, many thought they’d be back to being their usual selves.
To open the 2026 tournament, “Die Mannschaft” defeated Curacao, 7-1. It then beat Ivory Coast, 2-1. But in its final match day of the groups, Germany lost all momentum with a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador.
An infamous clip of German analysts went viral after the loss to Paraguay in penalties. On MagentaTV, commentator Jonas Friedrich went viral for dismissing Paraguay as a “third-class” team with incomparable talent to the mighty German squad.
That’s not how this game looked at all. Germany had more shots, more shots on target and 75% possession, but it felt like Paraguay was playing its game. They had scored a stunner and were going to defend and defend and defend.
German star Kai Havertz found an equalizer in the 54th minute, but after that Germany had very few clear chances. There was one, a potential go-ahead header by Jonathan Tah, that was disallowed by video review.
All of the big moments, the big chances, went in Paraguay’s favor. It fought for every ball and won with all of its might.
It was the ultimate example of an underdog victory. Paraguay’s efforts paid off.
