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Paraguay sent four-time champions Germany crashing out of the World Cup on Monday with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win, marking Germany’s first ever defeat on spot-kicks at the finals.
The seismic upset at Gillette Stadium headlined a day of knockout drama as Brazil and Morocco also clinched late victories to reach the last 16.
Super Sport reports that Germany and Paraguay finished 1-1 after extra time before Orlando Gill emerged as the hero in the shootout.
Gill saved penalties from Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade to hand Paraguay the advantage.
Paraguay missed two chances to win it before Jose Canale blasted in the decisive spot-kick after Jonathan Tah sent his effort over the bar.
“Obviously, we analysed every player and every detail of the penalty-takers,” Gill said. “Thank God I was able to save two penalties. This is a privilege; we eliminated a champion.”
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Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann was left stunned on the bench. “We didn’t do enough today,” he said.
It was Germany’s first penalty shoot-out loss at a World Cup after four previous wins since the 1982 finals in Spain.
Tah had a headed goal controversially disallowed after a VAR review in extra time.
Julio Enciso gave Paraguay a 42nd minute lead before Arsenal forward Havertz equalised nine minutes into the second half.
Paraguay will face either France or Sweden in the last 16, who play on Tuesday.
Earlier Monday, Brazil came from behind to score an injury-time winner in a 2-1 defeat of Japan, while Morocco defeated the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties in Monterrey.
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