Overview
- Paraguay advanced to the round of 16 by beating Germany 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Boston on Monday, with Julio Enciso scoring and Kai Havertz equalizing.
- Goalkeeper Orlando Gill became the match hero with multiple crucial saves in the shootout that decided the tie.
- The result set off nationwide celebrations in Paraguay, generated an outpouring of viral memes on social media, and led President Santiago Peña to decree a public holiday.
- Germany’s coach Julian Nagelsmann openly criticized his team’s level after the loss, saying that elimination by Paraguay showed the squad was not at 'first-level' performance.
- Paraguay will face the winner of France versus Sweden in Philadelphia on July 4, and the victory is being framed by coach Gustavo Alfaro as vindication of his rebuilding project for the national team.