One of the biggest upsets of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially in the books.
Paraguay entered its Round of 32 matchup against Germany as a massive +950 moneyline underdog, giving bettors willing to back the South Americans a huge payday (+400 Draw Cashed as well as the +350 Two Way Moneyline). After 120 hard-fought minutes the match ended in a 1-1 draw, Paraguay held its nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout, eliminating four-time World Cup champion Germany 4-3.
Germany controlled possession for much of the match, but Paraguay's disciplined defensive approach frustrated one of the tournament favorites from start to finish. Julio Enciso gave Paraguay an early lead before Kai Havertz equalized, setting up a tense finish that ultimately came down to penalties. Goalkeeper Orlando Gill made two crucial saves before José Canale buried the winning spot kick to complete the upset.
The result validated Paraguay's resilient style after Germany had downplayed the challenge before kickoff, describing them as an "uncomfortable" opponent. Instead, Paraguay proved to be much more than that, sending one of the tournament favorites home in stunning fashion.
The harsh reality is that the once-dominant German national team is no longer the powerhouse it once was, and head coach Julian Nagelsmann knows it. Following Germany's shocking Round of 32 exit to Paraguay, Nagelsmann didn't shy away from the criticism. If you exit after the first stage, it's not enough for German football," "This is now the third elimination in a row, so we are not part of the first-class teams any more."
