Germany are out of the 2026 World Cup, beaten on penalties by a Paraguay side few had given a chance — and back home, the win is being treated as a moment of national history.
The two sides could not be separated across 120 minutes in Foxborough, Massachusetts, finishing level at 1-1. Julio Enciso headed Paraguay in front in the first half before Kai Havertz levelled things after the break.
When it went to spot-kicks, José Canale beat Manuel Neuer to win it 4-3 and knock the four-time champions out at the round of 32. Back home, President Santiago Peña decided the moment deserved more than a party — he gave the country the day off.
Santiago Peña declares June 30 a national holiday in Paraguay
This is rare air for Paraguay. They had not played at a World Cup since 2010, and reaching the knockout rounds — let alone sending home a four-time winner — ranks among the biggest nights in the country’s footballing history.
The shootout also handed Germany their first World Cup penalty shootout defeat. A side that had never lost from the spot on this stage finally cracked, and Paraguay were the ones to do it.
Peña did not wait long to mark it.
The president signed a decree making Tuesday, June 30, a national holiday, writing (via ESPN): “In recognition of the historic victory of the Paraguayan national football team over Germany, an authorized national holiday is declared for June 30.”
For a country that waited 16 years just to get back to this stage, a day off is the least it earned. This is the magic of the World Cup.
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