One of the World Cup Favorites Lose in Round of 32

Published: Saturday, July 4, 2026

by David Martino

Major upset for Germany in the round of 32 after their match against Paraguay. Following a penalties shootout for the two national teams, Paraguay came out on top after making four out of six with Germany making only three of six.

 

Julio Encisco, a midfielder from the Strasbourg club in the French Ligue 1, put Paraguay on the board in the forty second minute of the match already shocking most. This was followed by Kai Havertz scoring in the fifty fourth minute of the game and it remained tied for the time being until extra time. In the one hundred and first minute of the game Germany scored a go-ahead goal. Unfortunately it was taken away from the team and Jonathan Tah from the VAR system. After that it remained tied until the end of extra time, resulting in a penalty shootout.

 

Havertz, who had scored previously, whiffed in his shot and Mauricio put Paraguay up one early, setting the tone. After this both Germany and Paraguay matched each other’s shots for the next two for each team but keeping Paraguay in the lead with a goal. However, the next two shots changed the tone. Germany made one of the two and Paraguay missed both, tie game now. Now it comes down to the final shot for each team and Germany, being the heavy favorites in this matchup, took their shot first and missed. Paraguay being the underdog scored in their last penalty shot to win the game, with the winning make being taken by Jose Canale.

 

This shootout victory not only shuts down the underdog narrative heading into the game but also snapped Germany's fifty-year streak of shootout victories. Paraguay now gets to continue their world cup journey after being a major underdog coming into the tournament forty-first ranked out of sixty eight. On July fourth they will play France in Philadelphia looking to upset a second World Cup favorite in a week. This will be their first time in the round of sixteen since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

 

The round of 16 Kicks off July 3. For more updates follow the wsou news instagram or reach out to David Martino at david.martino@student.shu.edu 

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