Germany went out of the World Cup in dramatic fashion as Paraguay won 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Boston Stadium, with Jonathan Tah seeing a goal ruled out in extra time before missing the decisive spot-kick in sudden death.

Paraguay advanced to the last 16 for a tie against France or Sweden, while Germany failed to reach the knockout stage for the third consecutive World Cup, despite leading the shoot-out fightback through Manuel Neuer’s saves and late pressure during extra time.

The penalty shoot-out swung several times. Orlando Gill saved Kai Havertz’s weak effort, and Mauricio scored confidently to maintain Paraguay’s edge. Joshua Kimmich replied with a low strike, then Gustavo Gomez and Jamal Musiala converted, before Matias Galarza coolly sent Neuer the wrong way.

Gill then produced another key stop, lunging out to deny Nick Woltemade, but Antonio Sanabria dragged his attempt wide, briefly returning hope to Germany. Nadiem Amiri scored to extend the contest, Neuer saved Fabian Balbuena’s kick, yet Tah shot over, allowing Jose Canale to finish powerfully.

Canale, who had led Paraguay’s defence throughout, smashed the winning penalty high into the net, sealing a famous win and confirming Germany’s first ever World Cup shoot-out defeat, a result that will trigger major questions around Julian Nagelsmann and this squad.

The match in Boston will stand as a major World Cup upset, marked by Paraguay’s first knockout goal, Germany’s first shoot-out loss on this stage, and a display where Gill, Canale and Enciso delivered under pressure, while Germany’s long record of tournament resilience finally slipped.