“Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a 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. Nowhere was that aura stronger than the penalty shootout, where Germany had built an unblemished World Cup record that stretched over four decades.That reputation finally ended on Monday night.After a grueling 120 minutes ended in a 1-1 draw at the Boston Stadium, Paraguay defeated Germany 4-3 on penalties in the Round of 32, handing the four-time world champions their first defeat in World Cup play and ending one of the tournament’s longest-running records.
Germany’s biggest World Cup strength has finally been broken
Germany entered the shootout carrying a perfect record that had lasted 44 years.His remarkable streak began during the dramatic 1982 World Cup semi-final against France. After a thrilling 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 a World Cup replay when his effort was saved by Jean-Luc Ettori.That miss was the only blemish on Germany’s record for the next four decades.West Germany followed that up by defeating hosts Mexico 4-1 in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup after another goalless draw, before beating England 4-3 in the semi-finals of Italy ’90 after a 1-1 draw after extra time.Their fourth win came at Germany 2006, when they defeated 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 penalty save in 1982 and the start of the 2026 Round of 32, every German penalty taken in a World Cup shootout had found the net.
Paraguay has succeeded where every previous opponent has failed
Germany looked set to continue this remarkable tradition even after a difficult evening against Paraguay.Despite dominating 75 percent of possession, completing 753 passes with 92 percent 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 defense.Paraguay stunned Germany in the 42nd minute when Julio Enciso headed home MatÃas Galarza’s cross before Kai Havertz restored parity with a well-placed header in the 54th minute.Germany thought they had completed the comeback during extra time when Jonathan Tah headed home from a corner in the 102nd minute, only for VAR to disallow the goal after determining that Waldemar Anton had illegally obstructed goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
German players are rejected at the end of the World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between Germany and Paraguay in Foxborough, Massachusetts, near Boston, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
With nothing separating the teams after 120 minutes, the match moved to penalties, where Germany’s biggest World Cup weapon unexpectedly dropped it.Havertz saw the opening penalty saved by Gill before MaurÃcio converted for Paraguay. Although Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala and Nadiem Amiri scored, Nick Woltemade was denied by Gill before Jonathan Tah failed to convert in sudden death.José Canale calmly buried the decisive penalty to seal a famous 4-3 victory in the second leg.The defeat turned Germany’s previously unblemished World Cup penalty shootout record into four wins and one defeat.
Numbers behind Germany’s remarkable heritage
Even with the defeat, Germany’s penalty shootout record remains one of the best in World Cup history.Through five World Cup shootouts, German players have now taken 24 penalties, converting 20 of them. 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)
Germany’s goalkeepers also built an outstanding reputation over those five shootouts. Facing 24 opposition penalties, they prevented ten from finding the net through eight saves and two misses from opposing players, further reinforcing why Germany had long been regarded as football’s ultimate specialist.His excellence also extends beyond shootouts. In normal World Cup play, Germany converted 12 of the 14 penalties that were awarded during the matches, underscoring a long-standing reputation for composure from the venue.
Paraguay joins the exclusive company of the World Cup
While Germany lost one of football’s most celebrated records, Paraguay strengthened one of their own.The South Americans remain unbeaten in every World Cup penalty shootout they have contested. Their first win came in the 2010 Round of 16, when they defeated 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 victory over Germany extended their perfect record to two wins from two shootouts, making Paraguay, alongside Croatia, one of the few nations to have appeared in multiple World Cup penalty shootouts without ever suffering defeat.For Germany, the loss represents much more than another first World Cup exit. It marks the end of a psychological advantage that had survived generations of players, managers and tournaments, finally proving that even one of football’s most enduring reputations can eventually be broken.