Paraguay defeated Germany 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the two teams finished 1-1 in extra time in their round of 32 match at the 2026 World Cup on June 29 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. Paraguay took the lead in the 42nd minute with a Julio Enciso header but Germany equalised through Kai Havertz in the 54th minute [1, 2, 5, 6]. The match remained tied after extra time, forcing a shootout.

Germany, long successful in penalties, suffered their first ever World Cup shootout defeat, having won all four previous shootouts since 1982 [1, 3, 5, 6]. Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill made two crucial saves during the shootout against Havertz and Nick Woltemade, helping Paraguay prevail despite two missed penalties from their own players [3, 5, 6]. Jose Canale scored the winning penalty to seal Paraguay's victory [1, 2, 5, 6].

Paraguay had recovered from a 4-1 loss to the United States in group play and advanced as one of the best third-place teams to reach the knockout phase [1, 4]. Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro said, "I told the players that we have lived through an epic evening. To resist is etched into our identity," and later added, "It seems if we don’t suffer, it doesn’t count. The shootout was dramatic, going to the sixth penalty. This qualification is for all Paraguayans who believed in us" [1, 6]. Goalkeeper Orlando Gill described the match as "a very challenging game. We were under attack from all sides, but we resisted" [3]. German coach Julian Nagelsmann acknowledged, "We didn’t do enough today" [5].

Paraguay will face either France or Sweden in the round of 16 on July 4 [1, 2, 5, 6].

In Houston, Brazil came from behind to beat Japan 2-1 in their round of 32 match with a 95th-minute winner by Gabriel Martinelli on June 30 [7, 8, 9, 10, 5, 11]. Japan took the lead early with a 29th-minute goal by Kaishu Sano but Brazil equalised in the 56th minute through Casemiro [7, 8, 9, 10, 5, 11]. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti introduced striker Endrick at half-time, boosting their attack [5]. Japanese fans watched the match at a public viewing in Tokyo at 2 a.m. local time and were left devastated by the injury-time goal [7, 8, 9, 10, 11]. Fan Shigenobu Katsumura said, "To take an opponent like Brazil as far as that, you don’t know what would have happened if it had gone to extra time. There was still a chance, so to have that chance snuffed out is frustrating" [7].

Japan lost despite a strong performance against the five-time champions [7, 8, 9, 10, 5, 11]. Brazil advanced to the round of 16 to face the winner of South Korea vs. Morocco.