Paraguay knock out Germany on penalty kicks

Paraguay stunned four-time world champions Germany 4-3 on penalties to advance to the World Cup round of 16 in one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s history, after the teams were tied 1-1 ‌over 120 minutes.

Jose Canale hit the decisive penalty to give the underdogs a memorable victory and spark wild celebrations, as they advanced to ⁠the next round, where they will face either title contenders France or Sweden in the last 16.

It is the biggest win in the World Cup for the South Americans, who reached the ‌quarter-finals in 2010 and had not qualified since.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who at the age of 38 became the youngest coach in a World Cup ‌knockout stage in 40 years, opted for an offensive lineup, giving his team’s ‌top ⁠scorer in the tournament, Deniz Undav, his first start.

The forward, who ⁠had three goals and two assists in the group stage, threatened early on with a curled shot as the Germans controlled possession as expected and had their opponents pinned in their own half.