Paraguay have ended Germany’s 44-year World Cup history as football’s biggest reputation finally falls

A German fan reacts at the end of the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between Germany and Paraguay in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) “Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase the ball for 90 minutes and in the end the Germans always win.” Gary Lineker’s famous observation has defined Germany’s reputation at major tournaments for decades. No part of that aura was stronger than the penalty shoot-out, where Germany established an unblemished World Cup record spanning more than four decades.That rumor finally ended on Monday night.After 120 grueling minutes that ended in a 1-1 draw at the Boston Stadium, Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 on penalties in the round of 32, handing the four-time world champions their first-ever World Cup shootout defeat and ending one of the tournament’s longest runs.

The greatest power of the German World Cup has finally broken

Germany entered the shootout with a perfect record that had lasted 44 years.Their remarkable sequence began during a dramatic 1982 World Cup semi-final against France. After a tense 3-3 draw after extra time, West Germany won 5-4 on penalties to reach the final, despite Uli Stielike becoming the only German player to miss in a World Cup shoot-out when his effort was saved by Jean-Luc Ettori.This error remained the only blemish on the German record for the next four decades.West Germany followed him in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup by beating hosts Mexico 4-1 after another goalless draw, before beating England 4-3 in the Italy ’90 semi-finals after a 1-1 extra-time draw.Their fourth win came at Germany 2006 when they beat Argentina 4-2 on penalties after another 1-1 draw in Berlin, extending their perfect record to four wins from four shootouts.Between Stielike’s saved penalty in 1982 and the start of the 32nd round in 2026, every German penalty in a World Cup shootout has found the back of the net.

Paraguay succeeded where every previous opponent had failed

Germany looked set to continue that remarkable tradition after a tough evening against Paraguay.Despite dominating 75% possession, completing 753 passes with 92% accuracy and finishing with 21 shots compared to Paraguay’s seven, Julian Nagelsmann’s side were repeatedly frustrated by Orlando Gill and a disciplined Paraguayan defence.Paraguay stunned Germany in the 42nd minute when Julio Enciso headed home Matías Galarza’s cross before Kai Havertz restored parity with a well-placed header in the 54th minute.Germany thought they had completed the comeback in extra time when Jonathan Tah headed home from a corner in the 102nd minute, but VAR disallowed the goal after Waldemar Anton was found to have fouled goalkeeper Orlando Gill.

German players are dejected at the end of the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between Germany and Paraguay in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

With nothing separating the teams after 120 minutes, the match went to penalties where Germany’s biggest weapon at the World Cup unexpectedly left them.Havertz saw the opening penalty saved by Gill before Maurício converted for Paraguay. Although Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala and Nadiem Amiri all scored, Gill denied Nick Woltemade before Jonathan Tah failed to convert in sudden death.José Canale calmly buried the decisive penalty to seal a famous 4-3 shootout victory.The defeat turned Germany’s previously flawless penalty record into four wins and one defeat.

The numbers behind Germany’s remarkable heritage

Despite the defeat, Germany’s penalty shootout record remains one of the best in World Cup history.In five shootouts at the World Cup, German players have now conceded 24 penalties, of which they have converted 20. Before facing Paraguay, only Stielike’s saved effort against France in 1982 had failed to find the net. Against Paraguay alone, Germany missed three times as Havertz and Woltemade were both denied by Orlando Gill before Tah failed to convert in sudden death.

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (1) acknowledges the fans after a loss during the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between Germany and Paraguay in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

German goalkeepers have also developed an excellent reputation during these five shootouts. Facing 24 opposition penalties, they prevented ten players from finding the net with eight saves and two direct fouls by opponents, further reinforcing why Germany have long been regarded as football’s best shootout specialist.Their excellence extends beyond gunfights. In normal World Cup play, Germany converted 12 of the 14 penalties awarded during matches, underscoring a long-standing reputation for composure from the spot.

Paraguay joins exclusive World Cup company

While Germany lost one of football’s most famous records, Paraguay strengthened one of its own.The South Americans remain unbeaten in every World Cup penalty shootout they have contested. Their first win came in 2010 in the round of 16 when they beat Japan 5-3 after a goalless draw to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.

Paraguay players celebrate with Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill, right, after winning the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between Germany and Paraguay in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Their win over Germany extends that perfect record to two wins from two shootouts, making Paraguay one of the few countries, along with Croatia, to have appeared in multiple World Cup penalty shootouts without ever suffering defeat.For Germany, the loss represents much more than just another early exit from the World Cup. It marks the end of a psychological advantage that has survived generations of players, managers and tournaments, and finally proves that even one of football’s most enduring legends can eventually be broken.