“It’s an incredible feeling. It was a tough game. At times, they were attacking us from every angle, but we managed to hold on. We analyzed every player, every aspect, every little detail,” Gill admitted in an interview after the game at Boston Stadium. “Thank God I was able to save two penalties. We eliminated a world champion. This is dedicated to all the people of Paraguay.”

In addition to the thorough analysis, Gill’s presence played a crucial role in Paraguay’s win over Germany at the 2026 World Cup. The 6-foot-6 goalkeeper, who is impossible to miss because of his height, proved impossible for the Germans to beat. Gill saved two penalties in the shootout, and thanks to Jose Canale’s winner, Paraguay are through to the Round of 16. Paraguay now await their next opponent at the 2026 World Cup.

Gill stands strong in a penalty shootout, again

The 26-year-old goalkeeper shocked the world with his dominant performance in the penalty shootout. Perhaps Germany didn’t study Gill—who plays for San Lorenzo de Almagro in Argentina’s top flight—as much as Gill and Paraguay studied the Germans. Maybe that’s why Germany are now eliminated from the 2026 World Cup, while Paraguay are moving on.

Either way, Gill has proven once again his ability to decipher opponents in penalty shootouts. In his last game for San Lorenzo before the World Cup, Gill stopped a penalty in a CONMEBOL Sudamericana matchup against Recoleta of Paraguay.

Moreover, two games before that, he stopped two penalties in a shootout as well. This time, on a bigger stage and under the eyes of the world, Gill was up to the challenge once again.

Paraguay have found their starting goalkeeper

Gill hadn’t been Paraguay‘s starting goalkeeper during the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers. However, a sudden rise in form with his club led him to draw attention from Gustavo Alfaro and the national team coaching staff. Still, many had their doubts about Gill being named the starter.

In fact, legendary goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert put the young netminder on blast after Paraguay’s horrible start to the 2026 World Cup, in which co-hosts the USMNT blew them out of the water with a 4-1 victory.

Needless to say, Gill—and Paraguay as a whole—have bounced back after the rude awakening and are deservedly in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Not just that, but they are eager for more. “Bring on France or Sweden,” seems to be La Albirroja’s message as they chase yet another “impossible utopia.”

With this definitive defeat, the German squad is eliminated and left with no further options to keep its campaign alive. While Germany head home to reflect on a devastating end to their journey, Paraguay punch their ticket to a massive holiday showdown in the Round of 16.

The winner of this grueling encounter now advances to play on July 4 at Philadelphia Stadium, where they will face the winner of the highly anticipated matchup between France and Sweden.

Regulation time was not enough

The matchup was the first of this World Cup to head into extra time after finishing tied 1-1 in regulation. Paraguay struck first to take the lead in the first half, but Germany equalized early in the second half.

Julio Enciso opened the scoring following a brilliant play by Almiron, who threaded a pass to Matias Galarza. Galarza delivered a sharp cross into the box, where an unmarked Enciso charged in with full force to connect with a powerful header.

Germany’s equalizer came 10 minutes into the second half. Kai Havertz, who consistently delivers in big moments, found the back of the net off an assist from Florian Wirtz.

Historical extra time and penalties

Extra time will undoubtedly go down in history after a tremendous physical toll and a massive onslaught of attacks from the German squad. Germany even had a goal disallowed due to a foul on Gill, but the defensive block of Paraguay held firm to send the match to a shootout.

In the penalty shootout, which Paraguay won 4-3, conversions from Mauricio, Gustavo Gomez, Matias Galarza, and Jose Canale secured an agonizing victory. This came after Antonio Sanabria and Fabian Balbuena missed two consecutive penalties following saves by Neuer.

For Germany, Orlando Gill played the villain by saving two penalties—denying Havertz on the first attempt and later stopping Woltemade. Finally, Tah missed his penalty, sending the ball into the clouds to seal their fate.

Just when everybody expected Germany and France to meet in the Round of 16, Paraguay had the final say. Instead, the July 4 matchup at Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field), will feature Paraguay and France for a ticket to the quarterfinals. Kickoff is scheduled at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Paraguay will have to go up against yet another multi-time World Cup champion. Either way, Gustavo Alfaro’s side is prepared for the challenge. Led by their goalkeeper Orlando Gill and his heroic performances, Paraguay back in a Round of 16 in a World Cup, and they can dream even bigger.

France vs. Paraguay: the narrative behind the game

However, Paraguay will be up for a steep climb. The reward for eliminating Germany is to face the 2018 World Cup champions and 2022 runner-ups. France have made it to World Cup finals in each of their last two appearances.

Determined to make that three in a row, they will have no mercy against Paraguay, even if La Albirroja have become the Cinderella team of the World Cup overnight.

Paraguay, however, wouldn’t want it any other way. Determined to hunt even more “impossible utopias,” the Guaranies hope their memorable summer (it’s actually winter in Paraguay) is only getting started in the United States. In the meantime, Paraguay’s FIFA ranking will only go up. And so will France’s.

Paraguay snap their drought

Paraguay have won their first knockout-stage game at a World Cup since 2010. Once again, through a penalty shootout. Still, they need another win in the upcoming Round of 16 to match their best finish ever in the tournament, which was reaching the quarterfinals in 2010. That time around, Paraguay were eliminated by Spain, who went on to win the championship.

Facing the likes of France, history could very well repeat itself, with Paraguay’s grim reaper becoming world champion once again. However, that won’t be something La Albirroja strive for or look forward to. Instead, they will vie to send another message at the 2026 World Cup and land a massive blow that completely alters how the tournament looks.

Third World Cup meeting between France and Paraguay

When the French and Paraguayan national teams meet in Philadelphia, it will be the third time the two sides have faced each other in FIFA World Cup history. As it stands, France are unbeaten, thanks to a 7-3 blowout victory in 1958 and a 1-0 win in 1998. However, there’s a saying about third times, and Paraguay will surely cling to it.

France have fond memories of their meetings with Paraguay at World Cups. In 1998, they eliminated Paraguay in the Round of 16 and went on to win their first-ever world championship. Will history repeat itself in 2026? Or will Paraguay finally break their hex and defeat France for the first time in national team history?

Per famously renown statistician MisterChip, by conceding vs Paraguay, “Manuel Neuer equaled the all-time record for consecutive matches conceding a goal in World Cup history.”

Neuer has now conceded in 10 straight World Cup games. This is an insane stat to look at when you acknowledge Neuer’s greatness. It juxtaposes it entirely. This just goes to show how tough the World Cup is, even if you represent Germany.

Who joins Manuel Neuer on that infamous World Cup list?

Neuer is not the sole holder of the record. He is tied with Mexico’s Antonio Carbajal. However, there are plenty of GKs who are on this list as bad streaks as well. The list includes top goalkeepers like Jean-Marie Pfaff and Jorge Campos.

• 10 – Manuel Neuer (2018-2026)
• 10 – Antonio Carbajal (1950-1962)
• 9 – Thomas Ravelli (1990-1994)
• 8 – Jean-Marie Pfaff (1982-1986)
• 8 – Jorge Campos (1994-1998)
• 8 – Gyula Grosics (1954-1958)

How does Manuel Neuer compare to Gianluigi Buffon, Lev Yashin, and others in World Cups?

Neuer won the 2014 World Cup, though big-time keepers like Buffon (2006) and Iker Casillas (2010) also possess a World Cup in their careers. Meanwhile, Lev Yashin is the only goalkeeper to win a Ballon D’Or. However, what are these other greats worst streak in World Cups?

Paraguay’s ranking is significantly lower, as they currently sit in 37th place, having climbed four positions after reaching this stage. In total, they have 1,520.59 points and are ranked ahead of teams such as Wales and Hungary.

Boston Stadium is set to host a high-profile matchup. Notable absences such as Germany’s Nico Schlotterbeck, ruled out due to a serious injury, and Paraguay’s Diego Gomez are key talking points, although both teams will look to replace them as best as possible.

Germany aim to become the third team to qualify

Two teams have now secured their place in the next stage of the 2026 World Cup. First, Canada edged South Africa with a late winner in a tight 1–0 victory, becoming the first team to qualify.

In the second match, Japan were eliminated by Brazil in a dramatic encounter. Atlanta Stadium witnessed a thrilling finish, where Gabriel Martinelli, in the dying moments of the game, secured a 2–1 win for his team and a place in the next round.

Germany play in the third match against a tough Paraguayan side. Although the South Americans did not deliver their best performance in the group stage, they will look to pull off a major upset in the tournament so far.

Musiala’s move to the bench is purely a tactical decision by head coach Julian Nagelsmann. The young maestro is fully healthy and faces no underlying disciplinary issues; Nagelsmann is simply opting for a different look to counter Paraguay‘s defensive shape.

With defender Nico Schlotterbeck also out of today’s lineup, and wonderkid Lennard Karl missing the entire tournament due to a pre-World Cup injury, Germany will lean heavily on their available depth. Kai Havertz is set to anchor the attack as the primary focal point, flanked by Deniz Undav and Leroy Sane.

Who is replacing Musiala in Germany’s starting XI?

Deniz Undav gets the nod to replace Musiala in the starting lineup. Nagelsmann has completely reshaped his frontline compared to the group-stage finale against Ecuador, with Sane also entering the mix to provide raw pace on the wing.

Beyond the attacking shakeup, Germany’s core remains intact. Joshua Kimmich will hold down the right flank, Aleksandar Pavlovic will dictate tempo from the midfield engine room, and Florian Wirtz will pull the strings from his preferred spot on the left side of the attack.

Paraguay’s roster changes for the knockout round

Paraguay enter this crucial win-or-go-home match with mixed squad news. While La Albirroja will sorely miss vital midfielder Diego Gomez, they get a massive boost with the return of star winger Miguel Almiron. Almiron is officially back in action after serving a one-game suspension following his red card against Türkiye.

The rest of the South American squad is fully fit and ready. Rising star Julio Enciso will lead the charge in the attack, while veteran defender and team captain Gustavo Gomez anchors the backline to organize the defense against Germany’s potent frontline.

Die Mannschaft finished first in the Group E standings despite a recent loss to Ecuador. A perennial contender in these tournaments, they will now face a tough opponent in Paraguay, currently ranked 37th in the FIFA rankings.

The experienced Antonio Rudiger is the natural replacement for Schlotterbeck following his confirmed absence for the remainder of the tournament. Can Julian Nagelsmann’s side continue its World Cup campaign? The coach made a bold decision with his lineup as Jamal Musiala isn’t starting against Paraguay today.

What happened to Schlotterbeck?

During Germany’s second group stage match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Ivory Coast, Nico Schlotterbeck suffered a severe ligament tear in his left ankle. Despite twisting his ankle early in the first half following a challenge, the Borussia Dortmund center-back bravely played through the pain until halftime, when he was ultimately replaced by Antonio Rudiger.

Follow-up medical exams and an MRI scan later confirmed the worst-case scenario, ruling the 26-year-old out for the remainder of the tournament with an estimated recovery time of eight weeks. He won’t be available for Germany against Paraguay in Boston today but won’t be back even if the team makes a deep run.

Germany target fifth World Cup crown

Germany enter the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup fully determined to capture an elusive fifth star and cement their place at the absolute pinnacle of soccer history. Under Julian Nagelsmann, Die Mannschaft are driven by the ambition to replicate the historic triumphs of their predecessors, aiming to add a new trophy alongside the iconic titles won in 1954, 1974, 1990, and most recently in 2014.

Striking a balance between a hunger for glory and the immense weight of their heritage, the Germans are fiercely chasing this fifth crown to finally match Brazil as the most successful national team in World Cup history.

The match will be played at Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Built to stage high-capacity, high-energy fixtures, the venue is expected to deliver a strong matchday atmosphere, with fans from both sides.

Organizers are projecting a near-capacity attendance and weather conditions in the Boston area are expected to be typical for a summer World Cup setting. In addition, the referee for Germany vs. Paraguay has already been selected, along with the uniforms that both teams will be wearing.

What is the weather forecast for Germany vs Paraguay?

The weather forecast for the Germany vs. Paraguay match at Boston Stadium features a clear and sunny day with a temperature of 29°C. As the Round of 32 clash takes place, conditions are highly favorable for outdoor soccer.

The current wind is blowing gently from the north at approximately 6 mph, and the humidity sits comfortably at 40%, preventing the air from feeling overly stifling. There is a 0% chance of precipitation, ensuring a completely dry pitch.

While conditions are beautiful for fans in the stands, sports climate analysts have noted a 29% chance of performance-impairing heat due to the open-air design of Boston Stadium. Despite this, FIFA has weather protocols in place, just in case.

What is the expected attendance for Germany vs Paraguay?

The expected attendance for Germany vs. Paraguay is a maximum capacity crowd of up to 64,146 spectators. Because this is a pivotal knockout match in the Round of 32, official tickets have seen immense demand across international markets. Fans will probably be surprised not to see Jamal Musiala starting for Germany today.

Boston Stadium (traditionally known as Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts) has had its official net seating capacity tailored and capped by FIFA at exactly 64,146 for this tournament.

Official allocations in the German fan section sold out completely weeks in advance, and resale tickets on platforms like Ticketmaster have seen surge pricing reflecting the intense interest.

The expected capacity crowd is bolstered by thousands of traveling supporters from Die Mannschaft, who have been seen filling iconic Boston spots around Fenway Park—and a passionate contingent representing Paraguay’s La Albirroja.

All eyes are now on the showdown between Germany and Paraguay at Boston Stadium, a knockout battle where every decision from the match official could carry major weight. Germany will play with their home uniform, whereas Paraguay don their away jersey.

Jayed, who has already been part of the refereeing rotation, now steps into one of the most scrutinized fixtures of the round, where discipline, control and VAR management will be under the spotlight from the opening whistle. What happens today will determine Germany and Paraguay’s World Cup future.

What is Jalal Jayed’s refereeing style?

Jalal Jayed is known for a disciplined, card-controlled refereeing style that prioritizes game flow while still maintaining strict physical-duel management. He is not afraid to assert his authority early in a game, which is reflected in his career numbers where he averages 4.57 yellow cards per game.

The Moroccan official balances his strictness with a tendency to let the physical, general flow of play continue when appropriate, but he clamps down aggressively on dissent, reckless challenges or tactical fouls.

His authoritative approach has made him a trusted hand for FIFA and CAF in high-stakes fixtures, ensuring that player emotions do not boil over. Across his international and domestic matches, he has also shown a decisive nature in the penalty area, averaging nearly 0.5 penalties awarded per match.

Who are the assistant referees and VAR officials?

Jalal Jayed is supported by a highly experienced, multinational team of officials. His Assistant Referees on the sidelines are his compatriots from Morocco, Zakaria Brinsi and Mostafa Akarkad, who regularly share the pitch with him.

The Fourth Official for his crew is China’s Ma Ning, with Zhou Fei serving as the reserve assistant referee. Behind the monitors, the Video Assistant Referee team consists of the following lineup:

• Video Assistant Referee (VAR): Tatiana Guzman (Nicaragua)
• Assistant VAR 1 (AVAR 1): Hamza El Fariq (Morocco)
• Support VAR (AVAR 2): Abdullah Alshehri (Saudi Arabia)

Moreover, Germany have been taught a lesson by Ecuador, so they shouldn’t take Paraguay for granted in an elimination game. So far at the 2026 World Cup, South American teams hold the upper hand over European sides in head-to-head matchups. Perhaps the trend will continue when Germany and Paraguay face off at Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) in Foxborough, MA.

Either way, both sides are well aware that everything is on the line. The group stage is behind them. The real World Cup begins now in the knockout stage, where it’s truly win or go home, and neither Paraguay nor Germany want to fly back to Asuncion and Berlin, respectively, just yet. Paraguay will be missing a key player in Diego Gomez, who isn’t playing today.

What happens if Germany win vs. Paraguay?

The Germans will punch their ticket to the round of 16 with a victory over Paraguay. Germany would reach the round of 16 of a FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2014, when they were crowned world champions in Brazil.

A win over Paraguay would send Germany through to face the winner of France vs. Sweden in the round of 16. That game will be played on July 4 at Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field).

As for Paraguay, a defeat at the hands of Germany would knock them out of the 2026 World Cup, snapping their “utopia-hunting journey” short. Paraguay would extend their round of 16 drought, a round they haven’t reached since the 2010 World Cup.

What happens if Germany and Paraguay tie?

In the event the score remains tied at the end of regulation, the game will head to 30 minutes of extra time, split into two 15-minute halves. There is no golden goal in extra time, meaning the full 30 minutes must be played in search of a winner.

If the game remains tied, it will be decided by a penalty shootout. Whoever prevails in extra time or through penalties will advance to the round of 16, while the loser will be eliminated from the 2026 World Cup.

Germany’s last penalty shootout at a World Cup was 20 years ago, in 2006, when they eliminated Argentina to advance to the semifinals of the last tournament they hosted.

What happens if Germany lose vs. Paraguay?

Shocking as it may be, it’s still a possible outcome. If Paraguay shock the world and defeat Germany in the round of 32, they will advance to the round of 16 to face France or Sweden in Philadelphia. Most 2026 World Cup fan brackets would be shredded to pieces.

Germany would be eliminated early once again in a World Cup, extending their knockout-stage win drought to 12 years. As for Paraguay, they would win their first knockout-stage game since the 2010 World Cup.

How to watch Germany vs Paraguay in the USA

Broadcast options across the United States include FOX and Telemundo on standard cable and satellite television services.

Fans can also stream the match live on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, Hulu + Live TV, and Peacock Premium. Don’t miss this exciting soccer showdown.

Can I watch Germany vs Paraguay for free?

Fans in the United States can watch this highly anticipated matchup live on Fubo and DirecTV Stream, both of which offer eligible new users a free five-day trial.

With nationwide availability on both platforms, viewers can follow every key moment of the contest from start to finish.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Germany and Paraguay meet with a place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 on the line in a matchup that promises plenty of intensity. Germany advanced from the group stage after failing to do so in each of the last two World Cups and now looks to continue its run.

Paraguay, meanwhile, recovered from an opening loss to the United States to qualify as one of the tournament’s best third-place teams. Germany enters as the favorite, but Paraguay, regardless of its FIFA ranking, is confident it can make this a tightly contested battle.

Nico Schlotterbeck isn’t playing today, but Germany aren’t the only team with a notable absentee. Paraguay will be missing Diego Gomez, who isn’t playing due to yellow card accumulation.

Germany vs Paraguay: Confirmed Lineups

Germany (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rüdiger, Jonathan Tah, Nathaniel Brown, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Felix Nmecha, Leroy Sané, Deniz Undav, Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz.

Paraguay (4-4-2): Orlando Gill, Juan José Cáceres, Gustavo Gómez, José Canale, Júnior Alonso, Andrés Cubas, Miguel Almirón, Damián Bobadilla, Matías Galarza, Julio Enciso, Gabriel Ávalos.

What time is the Germany vs Paraguay match?

The match between Germany and Paraguay in Boston kicks off today, June 29, at 4:30 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 4:30 PM
Central Time: 3:30 PM
Mountain Time: 2:30 PM
Pacific Time: 1:30 PM