The President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, declared a national holiday after the country’s football team produced one of the best results. FIFA World Cup 2026, eliminating four-time champions Germany to book a place in the Round of 16.In a night already etched in Paraguayan sporting folklore, the South American side held their nerve to win 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in their Round of 32 clash. The result marked Germany’s first ever World Cup exit via a penalty shootout, adding further weight to a dramatic contest defined by tension, controversy and high-stakes drama.Peña immediately reacted on the social media platform X, capturing the joy that swept the country.“PARAGUAY NEVER GIVES! HOLIDAY DAMMIT!!” He posted in Spanish. “¡PARAGUAY NUNCA SE RINDE! ¡¡FERIADO CARAJO!!”The announcement of a national holiday followed soon after, highlighting the magnitude of Paraguay’s success against one of the world’s traditional football powers.
The VAR controversy and penalty drama form a historic mess
The match itself was filled with twists and turns that turned the momentum back and forth. Germany thought they had sealed victory in extra time when Jonathan Tah headed home from a corner in the 101st minute. However, the celebrations were cut short after a VAR review overturned the goal for a build-up foul, a decision that proved decisive in sending the match to penalties.Paraguay made the most of the opportunity, keeping their composure in a shootout where Germany missed three spot-kicks. The decisive moment came as Paraguay converted their final attempt to seal a 4-3 victory and ignited wild celebrations on and off the pitch.The win also drew reactions from across the continent. Chilean President José Antonio Kast congratulated Paraguay on social media, highlighting the importance of another South American country advancing to the knockout stages.“We arrived in Asunción and took the opportunity to watch the emotional penalty shootout between Germany and Paraguay. A great victory that put another Latin American team in the round of 16 of the World Cup. Congratulations, Paraguay!” he wrote.
One of the biggest shocks of the tournament
Paraguay’s victory ranks among the most spectacular upsets in modern World Cup history. Entering the match ranked 41st in the FIFA standings compared to Germany’s 10th, the 31-place gap adds statistical weight to a dramatic result.Since 1994, only a few knockout losses have shown a greater disparity in the ranking, placing Paraguay’s success with some of the most famous shocks in football.