“Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and, at 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 shootout, where Germany had built a flawless World Cup record that stretched back more than four decades.That reputation finally came to an end on Monday night.After 120 exhausting minutes ended in a 1-1 draw at Boston Stadium, Paraguay defeated Germany 4-3 on penalties in the Round of 32, handing the four-time world champions their first-ever World Cup shootout defeat and bringing to an end one of the tournament’s longest-standing records.
Germany’s greatest World Cup strength finally broken
Germany entered the shootout carrying a perfect record that had lasted 44 years.Their remarkable sequence began during the dramatic 1982 World Cup semi-final against France. After a thrilling 3-3 draw following extra time, West Germany prevailed 5-4 on penalties to reach the final, despite Uli Stielike becoming the only German player to miss in a World Cup shootout when his effort was saved by Jean-Luc Ettori.That miss remained the only blemish on Germany’s record for the next four decades.West Germany followed it by defeating hosts Mexico 4-1 in the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup after another goalless draw, before overcoming England 4-3 in the semi-finals of Italia ’90 following a 1-1 draw after extra time.Their fourth victory 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 saved penalty in 1982 and the start of the 2026 Round of 32, every single German penalty taken in a World Cup shootout had found the net.
Paraguay succeed where every previous opponent failed
Germany appeared set to continue that remarkable tradition even after a difficult evening against Paraguay.Despite dominating 75 per cent possession, completing 753 passes with 92 per cent accuracy and finishing with 21 shots compared with 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 during extra time when Jonathan Tah powered home from a corner in the 102nd minute, only for VAR to disallow the goal after determining Waldemar Anton had illegally impeded goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Germany 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 moved to penalties, where Germany’s greatest World Cup weapon unexpectedly deserted them.Havertz saw the opening penalty saved by Gill before Maurício converted for Paraguay. Although Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala and Nadiem Amiri all 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 shootout victory.The defeat transformed Germany’s previously flawless World Cup penalty record into four victories and one defeat.
Numbers behind Germany’s remarkable legacy
Even with the defeat, Germany’s record from the penalty spot remains one of the finest in World Cup history.Across 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 outright misses by opposing players, further reinforcing why Germany had long been viewed as football’s ultimate shootout specialists.Their excellence also extends beyond shootouts. In normal World Cup play, Germany have converted 12 of the 14 penalties they have been awarded during matches, underlining a long-established reputation for composure from the spot.
Paraguay join exclusive World Cup company
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 victory 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 extends that 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 far more than another early 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.