Algerian Radio
The Paraguay national team qualified for the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating its German counterpart on penalties with a score of (4–3), following a (1–1) draw at the end of both regular and extra time in the match that brought them together within the round of 32 matches.
Paraguay opened the scoring in the 42nd minute through Julio Enciso, who capitalized on one of his team's few opportunities in the first half, while the German national team found the equalizer in the 54th minute through Kai Havertz with a header following a pass from Florian Wirtz.
Despite repeated attempts by the German team to decide the match, Paraguay's defense maintained its cohesion, and goalkeeper Orlando Gill shone in blocking several attempts, sending the match into extra time—making it the first confrontation in the current edition of the tournament to extend to extra time and then penalty shootouts.
Extra time witnessed the disallowed goal of the German national team scored by defender Jonathan Tah in the 102nd minute, after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology showed a foul committed by Waldemar Anton against Paraguay's goalkeeper before the goal was scored.
Goalkeeper Orlando Gill's brilliance continued into the penalty shootout, blocking Kai Havertz's attempt to lead his country's team to a (4–3) victory and secure qualification to the round of 16.
