Germany's defense of its World Cup reputation collapsed in dramatic fashion following a penalty shootout loss to Paraguay, ending their 2026 tournament run in the Round of 16.
The match stood at 1-1 after extra time before Paraguay clinched a 4-3 victory on penalties. Julio Enciso converted the decisive kick to secure the historic upset.
This marks Germany's first-ever loss in a World Cup penalty shootout, shattering a legacy of flawless performance from the spot. For Paraguay, the victory propels them into their first-ever quarter-final appearance.
The unexpected result has disrupted tournament expectations and shifted market attention toward the increasing frequency of shootouts and the vulnerability of traditional powerhouses in the knockout stages.