“Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase the 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. No part of that aura was stronger than the penalty shootout, where Germany built an unblemished World Cup record that spanned more than four decades.That reputation finally came to an end Monday night.After 120 grueling minutes that ended in a 1-1 draw at Boston Stadium, Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 on penalties in the round of 16, handing the four-time world champions their first World Cup shootout defeat and ending one of the tournament’s longest-running records.
Germany’s biggest World Cup power has finally been broken
Germany entered the shootout with a perfect record that had lasted 44 years.Their remarkable streak began during a 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 shootout when his effort was saved by Jean-Luc Ettori.That failure remained the only blemish on Germany’s record for the next four decades.West Germany followed it up by defeating hosts Mexico 4-1 in the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals after another goalless draw, before beating England 4-3 in the Italia ’90 semi-finals after a 1-1 extra-time draw.Their fourth win came in Germany in 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 Round of 16 in 2026, every German penalty kick taken in a World Cup shootout has found the net.
Paraguay succeeded where every previous opponent had failed
Germany seemed poised to continue that remarkable tradition even after a tough night against Paraguay.Despite dominating 75 per cent of possession, completing 753 passes with 92 per cent accuracy and finishing with 21 shots compared to Paraguay’s seven, Julian Nagelsmann’s side were repeatedly frustrated by Orlando Gill and Paraguay’s disciplined defence.Paraguay surprised Germany in the 42nd minute when Julio Enciso headed home MatÃas Galarza’s cross before Kai Havertz restored parity with a fine header in the 54th minute.Germany thought they had completed the comeback in extra time when Jonathan Tah headed home from a corner in the 102nd minute, only for VAR to disallow the goal after Waldemar Anton was deemed to have fouled goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
German players are dejected at the end of the World Cup Round of 16 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 game went to penalties, where Germany’s biggest weapon at the World Cup unexpectedly deserted them.Havertz saw the opening penalty saved by Gill before MaurÃcio converted for Paraguay. Although Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala and Nadiem Amiri all scored, Gill denied Nick Woltemade before Jonathan Tah failed to convert in sudden death.José Canale calmly buried the decisive penalty to seal a famous 4-3 win.The defeat transformed Germany’s previous unblemished record on penalties at the World Cup into four wins and one loss.
The numbers behind Germany’s extraordinary heritage
Even with the loss, Germany’s score from the penalty spot remains one of the best in World Cup history.In five shootouts at the World Cup, German players took 24 penalty kicks, of which they converted 20. Before facing Paraguay, only Stielike’s saved effort against France in 1982 had failed to score. Against Paraguay alone, Germany missed three times as Orlando Gill denied Havertz and Woltemade 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 16 match between Germany and Paraguay in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
German goalkeepers have also built a remarkable reputation in those five shots. Facing 24 opposition penalties, they prevented ten from hitting the net through eight saves and two total misses by opposing players, further confirming why Germany have long been regarded as soccer’s ultimate shootout experts.Their excellence also extends beyond shooting. In normal World Cup play, Germany converted 12 of the 14 penalties awarded during the matches, underscoring a long-established reputation for composure from the spot.
Paraguay has joined the exclusive World Cup society
While Germany lost one of football’s most famous records, Paraguay strengthened one of its own.The South Americans remain unbeaten in every penalty shootout at the World Cup. Their first win came in the Round of 16 in 2010, when they beat Japan 5-3 after a goalless draw to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.
Paraguayan soccer players celebrate with Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill, right, after winning the World Cup Round of 16 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, along with Croatia, one of the few nations to have participated in multiple penalty shootouts at the World Cup without ever losing.For Germany, the loss represents much more than another early exit from the World Cup. It marks the end of a psychological advantage that has survived generations of players, managers and tournaments, finally proving that even one of football’s most enduring reputations can be broken.
