“Vacation, dammit!” – Paraguay’s president calls for national celebrations after shocking Germany to reach FIFA World Cup last 16

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña declared a public holiday. (AP Photos) Paraguay President Santiago Peña declared a public holiday after the country’s soccer team pulled off one of the most stunning results at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, knocking out four-time champions Germany to book a place in the round of 16.In a night that has already gone down in Paraguayan sporting folklore, the South American side held their nerve to win 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in their round of 32 encounter. The result marked Germany’s first-ever World Cup exit via penalty shootout, adding further weight to a dramatic match defined by tension, controversy and high drama.Peña immediately responded on social media platform X, capturing the euphoria that is sweeping the nation.“PARAGUAY NEVER GIVE UP! HOLIDAY PLAY!!” I wrote in Spanish: “PARAGUAY NEVER GIVE UP! FUCKING VACATION!!”The declaration of a public holiday soon followed, underscoring the magnitude of Paraguay’s success against one of the world’s traditional football powerhouses.

VAR controversy and penalty drama shape historic upset

The match itself was full of twists and turns that repeatedly gained momentum. Germany believed they had sealed victory in extra time when Jonathan Tah headed home from a corner in the 101st minute. However, the celebrations were cut short after a VAR review overturned the goal for a foul in the set-piece, a decision that proved decisive in the penalty shoot-out.Paraguay seized the opportunity and kept their composure in the shootout where Germany missed three free kicks. The decisive moment came when Paraguay converted their last-ditch effort to seal a 4-3 win, sparking wild celebrations on and off the pitch.The win also drew reactions from across the continent. Chilean President José Antonio Kast congratulated Paraguay on social media and highlighted the importance of another South American nation advancing to the knockout stages.“We came to Asuncion and took the chance to watch an emotional penalty shootout between Germany and Paraguay. A great win to put another Latin American team through to the round of 16 at the World Cup. Congratulations, Paraguay!” he wrote

One of the biggest shocks of the tournament

Paraguay’s triumph ranks among the most remarkable reversals in modern World Cup history. Entering the match ranked 41st in FIFA compared to 10th in Germany, the 31-place difference adds statistical weight to an already dramatic result.Since 1994, only a handful of relegation defeats have shown a greater disparity in ratings, making Paraguay’s success rank among some of football’s most famous shocks.