Paraguay upended four-time world champions Germany 4-3 on penalties today to advance to the World Cup round of 16 in one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s history, after the teams were deadlocked 1-1 over 120 minutes.
Reuters reported that Jose Canale hit the decisive penalty to give the underdogs a remarkable win and spark wild celebrations, as they advanced to the next round where they will come up against either title contenders France or Sweden in the last 16.
Germans Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Jonathan Tah failed to score from the spot before Canale, after two misses by the South Americans, kept his composure to seal their win, Reuters said.
For the Germans, who had a Tah header disallowed in extra time, it was a bitter defeat and the first time they lost a penalty shootout at a World Cup.
“We should not be blaming the referee or the penalty shootout today,” Germany captain Joshua Kimmich said. “If you cannot beat Paraguay over 120 minutes then you are deservedly eliminated. You should not depend on the opponents’ luck or no luck. You should have the quality in the squad to clearly beat this opponent.”
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