Paraguay ends Germany’s historic 44-year World Cup winning streak as football’s greatest reputation finally comes to an end Football News
“Football is a simple sport. 22 people chase the ball for 90 minutes and in the end, the German team always wins.” Gary Lineker’s famous observation has cemented Germany’s reputation in major tournaments for decades. Nowhere is this aura stronger than in penalty shootouts, where Germany have a perfect record at the World Cup that stretches back more than four decades.That reputation finally came to an end Monday night.After 120 minutes of grueling play that ended in a 1-1 draw at Boston Stadium, Paraguay defeated Germany 4-3 on penalties in the last 32, handing the four-time World Cup champions their first penalty shootout defeat at the World Cup and ending one of the longest streaks in World Cup history.
Germany’s strongest strength in the World Cup has finally been broken
The German team entered the penalty shootout with a perfect record in 44 years.Their remarkable run began with a dramatic 1982 World Cup semi-final against France. After a 3-3 draw in overtime, West Germany won the penalty shootout 5-4 to advance to the final, although Uli Stielike became the only German player to miss the World Cup penalty shootout, with his shot saved by Jean-Luc Ettore.That blunder remained the only blemish on Germany’s record for the next four decades.West Germany then defeated host Mexico 4-1 in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup in another goalless draw, and then beat England 4-3 after a 1-1 overtime draw in the 1990 Coppa Italia semi-finals.Their fourth victory came at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, when they beat Argentina 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Berlin, extending their perfect record to four wins in four penalty shootouts.From Stielike’s penalty save in 1982 to the round of 32 in 2026, Germany scored every penalty kick in the World Cup penalty shootout.
Paraguay achieved success where all previous opponents had failed
Even after a difficult night against Paraguay, Germany looks set to continue this remarkable tradition.Despite enjoying 75% of possession, completing 753 passes with 92% accuracy and converting 21 shots to Paraguay’s seven, Julian Nagelsmann’s side were repeatedly frustrated by Orlando Gill and a disciplined Paraguayan defence.Paraguay shocked Germany in the 42nd minute when Julio Enciso headed in Matías Galarza’s cross before Kai Havertz equalized with a header in the 54th minute.In the 102nd minute of overtime, the German team thought they had completed their comeback when Jonathan Tah scored from a corner kick, but VAR invalidated the goal after determining that Valdemar Anton had illegally blocked goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
German players are denied during the end of the World Cup round of 32 football match between Germany and Paraguay in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
After 120 minutes, the two teams had no winner and the game entered a penalty shootout. Germany’s greatest World Cup weapon unexpectedly abandoned them.Havertz saw Gill save the opening penalty before Mauricio signed for Paraguay. Despite goals from Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala and Nadeem Amiri, Nick Waltermade was denied by Gill before Jonathan Tah failed to convert.Jose Canale calmly took the decisive penalty to seal the 4-3 shootout victory.The defeat turned Germany’s previously perfect World Cup penalty record into four wins and one loss.
The numbers behind Germany’s remarkable legacy
Even in defeat, Germany’s penalty record remains one of the best in World Cup history.In the five World Cup penalty shootouts, German players took 24 penalty kicks and scored 20 of them. Before the game against Paraguay, only Stielik’s save failed to score against France in 1982. Against Paraguay alone, Germany missed three times, with Havertz and Walter Mader both denied by Orlando Gill and Tah failing to convert.
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (1) greets fans after Germany’s defeat against Paraguay in the World Cup round of 32 soccer match, Monday, June 29, 2026, in Foxborough, Massachusetts, near Boston. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
The German goalkeeper has also established a reputation for excellence in these five penalty shootouts. Facing 24 penalties from their opponents, they prevented 10 goals through eight saves and two direct errors, reinforcing why Germany have long been regarded as football’s ultimate penalty kick experts.Their outstanding performance was not limited to the penalty shootout. In a normal World Cup match, Germany would take 12 of the 14 penalties awarded in the game, underscoring Germany’s long-standing reputation for calmness on the field.
Paraguay joins exclusive World Cup company
Germany lost one of football’s most famous records, while Paraguay consolidated one of their own.South America remains undefeated in every penalty shootout at the World Cup. Their first victory came in the round of 16 in 2010, beating Japan 5-3 after a goalless draw to advance to the quarter-finals for the first time.
Paraguayan players celebrate with Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gil (right) after winning the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between Germany and Paraguay on Monday, June 29, 2026, in Foxborough, Massachusetts, near Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Their victory over Germany extended that perfect record to two penalty shootout wins, making Paraguay one of the few countries, along with Croatia, to participate in multiple World Cup penalty shootouts without ever losing.For Germany, this defeat was much more than just another early exit from the World Cup. It marked the end of a psychological edge that had endured across generations of players, coaches and tournaments, proving ultimately that even one of football’s most enduring reputations can eventually be shattered.
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