Paraguay Stun Germany to Reach World Cup Round of 16

Paraguay pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent World Cup history by knocking out four-time champions Germany in a dramatic penalty shootout.

Despite Germany being 31 places above Paraguay in the FIFA world rankings, the South Americans triumphed 4-3 in sudden-death penalties, handing Germany their first-ever World Cup penalty shootout defeat.

The match went to extra time after Kai Havertz headed home an equaliser to cancel out Julio Enciso’s shock opener. Germany thought they had found a winner through Jonathan Tah, but his header was controversially disallowed following a VAR review.

It was Paraguay’s first-ever victory in a World Cup knockout match. They will now face either France or Sweden in Philadelphia on July 4 for a place in the quarter-finals.