A defender who spent years in football's wilderness became the hero who knocked Germany out of the World Cup.
Jose Canale, 29, scored the decisive penalty to eliminate the four-time champions. His path to this moment was marked by loans between clubs in Paraguay, Argentina, and Mexico, and struggles with form and fitness.
A consistent run with Lanus in Buenos Aires this year, including a key goal in the Recopa final, caught the eye of Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro. Canale got his chance against Germany after an injury to Omar Alderete.
On his first competitive start for his country, Canale was a key part of a historic defensive effort alongside captain Gustavo Gomez. He limited Germany striker Kai Havertz's chances.
When the match went to penalties, Canale wasn't among the initial takers. But after the shootout went to sudden death, he stepped up. After watching Germany's Jonathan Tah miss, Canale calmly sent Manuel Neuer the wrong way with a left-footed shot, securing Paraguay's greatest World Cup win.
"Canale is one of life's champions because he has had to go through a lot of adversity," said coach Alfaro. "A night like this is one of the gifts that life can give you."
Paraguay now faces either France or Sweden in the Round of 16 on July 4. Canale may feature again if Alderete remains injured.