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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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A thrilling match in the Round of 32 featured Paraguay pulling off what seemed like an improbable upset of the No. 10 team in the World Cup, Germany, in a sudden-death penalty shootout.
The finale featured Jose Canale scoring the game-winning kick, giving the match to Paraguay 4-3 on penalties. That occurred after things remained deadlocked at 1-1 in the full game and its extra time.
Paraguay's Julio Enciso scored at the 42-minute mark to give Paraguay the lead going into halftime. However, Kai Havertz answered within the first 10 minutes of the second half to make it a 1-1 match.
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"Shock probably is a good word," Havertz said, per Fox Sports, after the match. "It's hard to find words after something like this because we came here with a goal in our heads, and especially also after the last couple of tournaments, we had big goals, and I thought we were in a good way, and then to go out like this, it's not easy."
More news: Zlatan Ibrahimovic Gets Honest About Germany’s Stunning World Cup Exit
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Havertz was the first one to kick for Germany in the penalty shootout, but was stopped by Paraguay's goalkeeper. In addition, his teammates Jonathan Tah and Nick Woltemade missed on their attempts, which would've seriously aided Germany's chances of winning.
"We had very big plans for this World Cup. It's very difficult to disappoint again. It was difficult to create chances and keep the pace," Havertz also said, per ESPN.
It appeared the game might be over in extra time when Tah delivered a header goal for Germany to make it 2-1. However, VAR disallowed the goal due to a foul on Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Germany won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but since then, they've been unsuccessful. In 2018 and 2022, they had group-stage exits, followed by this 2026 World Cup's surprising loss in the Round of 32.
They advanced to this round after winning Group E, but now fellow group teams, the Ivory Coast and Ecuador, remain in the tournament, while Germany goes home.
Meanwhile, Paraguay will move on after scoring the first major upset of the Knockout Stage. They'll face the winner of France and Sweden in the Round of 16.
More news: Landon Donovan Sends Message on World Cup After Paraguay’s Major Upset
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