Paraguay ends Germany’s 44-year historic World Cup streak as football’s biggest reputation finally falls | Football News:
“Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and, in the end, the Germans always win.” Gary Lineker’s famous observation has defined Germany’s reputation at major tournaments for decades. No part of that aura was stronger than the penalty shootout, where Germany established an unblemished record at the World Cup that spanned more than four decades.That reputation finally ended Monday night.After 120 grueling minutes ended in a 1-1 draw at the Boston Stadium, Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 on penalties in the Round of 32, handing the four-time world champions their first ever World Cup shootout defeat and ending one of the tournament’s longest records.
Germany’s biggest World Cup strength has finally been broken
Germany entered the shootout carrying a perfect record that lasted 44 years.Their remarkable streak began during the dramatic 1982 World Cup semi-final against France. After a thrilling 3-3 draw after extra time, West Germany won 5-4 on penalties to reach the final, although Uli Stielike became the only German player not to miss a World Cup shootout when his effort was saved by Jean-Luc Ettori.That miss remained the only blemish on Germany’s record for the next four decades.West Germany followed this up by beating hosts Mexico 4-1 in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup after another goalless draw, before beating England 4-3 in the semi-finals of Italia ’90 after a 1-1 draw after extra time.Their fourth win came at Germany 2006, when they beat Argentina 4-2 on penalties after another 1-1 draw in Berlin, extending their perfect record to four wins from four shootouts.Between Stielike’s penalty save in 1982 and the start of the 2026 Round of 32, every single penalty the German has taken in a World Cup shootout has found the net.
Paraguay succeeded where every previous opponent had failed
Germany seems ready to continue the wonderful tradition even after a difficult night against Paraguay.Despite dominating 75 percent possession, completing 753 passes with 92 percent accuracy and finishing with 21 shots compared to Paraguay’s seven, Julian Nagelsmann’s team was repeatedly frustrated by Orlando Gill and a disciplined Paraguayan defense.Paraguay stunned Germany in the 42nd minute when Julio Enciso headed home Matías Galarza’s cross before Kai Havertz restored parity with a well-placed header in the 54th minute.Germany thought they had completed the comeback in extra time when Jonathan Tah headed home from a corner in the 102nd minute, only for VAR to disallow the goal after Waldemar Anton was determined to have illegally blocked goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Germany players are sent off at the end of the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Germany and Paraguay in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
With nothing separating the teams after 120 minutes, the game moved to penalties, where Germany’s biggest World Cup weapon unexpectedly left them.Havertz saw the opening penalty saved by Gill before Maurício converted for Paraguay. Although Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala and Nadiem Amiri all scored, Nick Woltemade was denied by Gill before Jonathan Tah failed to convert in sudden death.José Canale calmly buried the decisive penalty to seal a famous 4-3 win in the shootout.The defeat changed Germany’s previously unblemished World Cup penalty record to four wins and one loss.
Figures behind Germany’s remarkable heritage
Despite the defeat, Germany’s record from the penalty spot remains one of the best in World Cup history.In five World Cup shootouts, German players have now taken 24 penalties, converting 20 of them. Before facing Paraguay, Stielike’s saved effort against France in 1982 failed to find the net. Against Paraguay alone, Germany missed three times as Havertz and Woltemade were both denied by Orlando Gill before Tah failed to convert in sudden death.
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (1) acknowledges the fans after a loss during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Germany and Paraguay in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Germany’s goalkeepers have also built a remarkable reputation in five shootouts. Facing 24 opposition penalties, they prevented ten from finding the net through eight saves and two direct misses by opposing players, further reinforcing why Germany have long been viewed as the best shootout specialists in football.Their excellence goes beyond shootouts. In normal World Cup play, Germany converted 12 of the 14 penalties they awarded during the matches, underscoring a long-established reputation for composure from the spot.
Paraguay joins the exclusive company of the World Cup
While Germany lost one of football’s most famous records, Paraguay cemented one of their own.The South Americans have remained unbeaten in every World Cup penalty shootout they have contested. Their first win came in the 2010 Round of 16, when they beat Japan 5-3 after a goalless draw to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.
Paraguay players celebrate with Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill, right, after winning the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Germany and Paraguay in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Their victory over Germany extended that perfect record to two wins from two shootouts, making Paraguay, along with Croatia, one of the few countries that have featured in multiple penalty shootouts at the World Cup without ever experiencing a defeat.For Germany, the defeat represented more than an early exit from the World Cup. It marks the end of a psychological advantage that has endured through generations of players, managers and tournaments, ultimately proving that even one of football’s most enduring reputations will eventually crumble.
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