Paraguay's Historic Upset
Goalkeeper Gill's Heroics Propel Paraguay Past Germany in World Cup Penalty Shootout
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Key Points
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Germany mounted 21 shots to Paraguay's 7, but Gill's six saves kept the tie alive, underscoring how his performance under pressure defined the comeback.
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Julio Enciso's knockout-stage goal came via a Matías Galarza cross, marking Paraguay's first-ever World Cup knockout-stage goal.
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An extra-time Jonathan Tah header was ruled out after Waldemar Anton impeded Gill, a moment highlighting the keeper's positioning and influence in the final decision.
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Jose Canale converted the decisive shootout winner, with Gill saving two penalties to seal Paraguay's 4-3 sudden-death victory.
Paraguay pulled off one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history on June 29, eliminating four-time champion Germany in a penalty shootout at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Goalkeeper Orlando Gill saved two penalties as Paraguay won 4-3 in sudden death, advancing to the Round of 16 for the first time in 16 years. ESPN called it a 'seismic result' that sent shockwaves through the tournament.
Germany dominated possession — controlling 62% of the ball and firing 21 shots to Paraguay's 7 — but Gill stood firm, finishing with six saves across regulation and extra time, according to FIFA. Jose Canale scored the decisive penalty to seal Paraguay's 4-3 win, sparking celebrations across Asunción that have been dubbed the 'Albirroja Miracle.'
Gill's Six Saves Kept Germany Scoreless Until the 54th Minute
Paraguay struck first in the 42nd minute. Matías Galarza delivered a precise cross and Julio Enciso headed it past Manuel Neuer. It was Paraguay's first-ever goal in a World Cup knockout stage — ending a 24-year scoring drought in elimination rounds, according to Al Jazeera.
Germany levelled in the 54th minute when Kai Havertz glanced a Florian Wirtz cross into the net. But Gill denied Leroy Sané and Jamal Musiala repeatedly in the second half, keeping the match level at 1-1 through 90 minutes, TSN reported. Germany's attack had the chances. Gill made sure they didn't have the goals.
A Disallowed German Goal Sparked Fierce Controversy in Extra Time
In the 102nd minute, Jonathan Tah headed what looked like a German winner from a corner. But Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed overturned the goal after a VAR review. The ruling: German defender Waldemar Anton had impeded Gill, preventing him from challenging the cross, according to The Independent.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann was furious. 'It's a joke that our goal was disallowed,' he said, per Bulinews. Analyst Peter Schmeichel agreed, saying 'the goalkeeper runs straight into him.' But others backed the call. Former midfielder John Obi Mikel argued Anton was 'blocking the keeper without looking at the play,' per Fox News.
Gill Saves Two Penalties as Paraguay Stun Germany in Shootout
The shootout opened with Gill saving Havertz's opening kick. Paraguay converted through Maurício, Gustavo Gómez, and Matías Galarza. Gill then saved a second penalty from Nick Woltemade. Paraguay's Antonio Sanabria missed, and Neuer saved Fabián Balbuena's effort to force sudden death, according to CBC Sports.
In sudden death, Germany's Tah hit his attempt over the bar. Canale stepped up and converted to clinch the win. Gill, who plays for San Lorenzo de Almagro and had not even made his senior international debut before this World Cup, was named the match's standout performer, per Sport Mole.
Paraguay's Upset Ranked Among Biggest in World Cup Knockout History
Paraguay entered the match ranked 31 spots below Germany — No. 41 vs. No. 10 — making this the fourth-largest knockout upset in FIFA ranking history, according to FOX Sports. Germany had never previously lost a World Cup penalty shootout. They had won six straight in major tournaments since their only prior shootout loss at Euro 1976, per The Guardian.
Coach Gustavo Alfaro, nicknamed 'The Professor,' built the team around 'organized resistance' since taking over in August 2024. Paraguay next faces the winner of France vs. Sweden on July 4 in Philadelphia. Gill dedicated the win to his country: 'We eliminated a world champion. This is dedicated to all the people of Paraguay,' he said, per Yahoo Sports.
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