Published: 10:23 AM, 01 July 2026
Mouse-that-roared Paraguay savors World Cup win over Germany
Thousands gathered in downtown Asuncion to celebrate. -AFP
The streets of Paraguay erupted Monday as people rejoiced in beating powerhouse Germany in the World Cup and the president declared a national holiday.
Thousands of people gathered in downtown Asuncion to savor the moment -- only the second time Paraguay has won a World Cup game in the knockout stage.
It did so by beating the Germans on penalties in a nail-biting finish.
Cars honking their horns snaked through the capital of the small South American country that does not usually get a lot of attention for anything.
But tonight, their team known as the "Albirroja" -- alluding to the blue and red of their jersey -- were kings.
President Santiago Pena took to X to echo the joyful national mood, writing "Paraguay never gives up."
He then declared a "national holiday" with a playful swear word -- "carajo" in Spanish -- but left off the last letter, as if to keep things clean.
He did not give an immediate date for the holiday.
Germany had never before lost a World Cup shootout, but Paraguay held their nerve -- even after two of their players missed kicks that would have sealed victory.
Their reward is a potential date with tournament favorites France, if France can get past Sweden on Tuesday.
Amado Salomon, a 58-year-old banker driving in the celebratory procession of cars, said Paraguay "did what it does best: defend with all their heart the whole game, and also in overtime."
"This team never stops fighting," he said.
Luis Espinola, a 61-year-old hotel employee, put it this way: "With Paraguay you have to suffer until the last minute."
He added: "It is part of our identity."
Paraguay sensationally sent four-time champions Germany crashing out of the World Cup on Monday as Brazil and Morocco clinched dramatic victories to reach the last 16.
Germany's hopes of mounting a deep run at the tournament ended at Foxborough's Gillette Stadium with the country's first ever defeat in a World Cup penalty shoot-out.
The seismic upset was the highlight of another day of enthralling action as the knockout rounds got into full swing, with Brazil coming from behind to score an injury-time winner in a 2-1 defeat of Japan before Morocco edged past the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties in a classic duel in Monterrey.
Orlando Gill was the hero for Paraguay in their shoot-out defeat of Germany, saving from Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade to give them a crucial advantage.
Paraguay blew two chances to win it before Jose Canale blasted in the winning spot-kick after Germany's Jonathan Tah blazed his effort over the bar.
Germany had never lost a penalty shoot-out at a World Cup on four previous occasions since the 1982 finals in Spain.
>> AFP
