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Germany, a traditional powerhouse that had never lost a penalty shootout in World Cup history, has finally been defeated in one. Paraguay, which took down Germany, has become the protagonist of the biggest upset in this tournament.
Reporter Jeon Yeongmin has the story.
[Reporter]
Paraguay, ranked only 41st in the FIFA rankings, gained momentum by scoring the opening goal in the 42nd minute of the first half against the star-studded German team.
Enciso headed in a cross from Galarza to find the back of the net.
Germany leveled the score in the 9th minute of the second half.
Havertz scored the equalizer by skillfully redirecting a cross from Wirtz with a header.
Germany continued to launch an offensive afterward, but a header by Tah was disallowed due to interference with the goalkeeper, and a header by Anton was blocked by a save from the goalkeeper.
The two teams remained deadlocked through extra time, leading to a nerve-wracking penalty shootout, the first of the tournament.
Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill gained momentum by saving shots from Germany's first and fourth kickers. However, after Paraguay had successfully converted their first three kicks, their fourth kicker missed the target, and Balbuena's shot was saved by German goalkeeper Neuer, bringing the score to a 3-3 tie.
At this point, Germany's sixth kicker, Tah, sent his shot over the bar and hung his head in disappointment. Paraguay's final kicker, Canale, calmly struck the bottom right corner of the goal to end the long battle.
The Paraguayan players, who dramatically secured their ticket to the Round of 16, embraced goalkeeper Gill, who put on a spectacular performance. Meanwhile, Germany, suffering its first defeat in five World Cup penalty shootouts, packed its bags after failing to reach the Round of 16 for the third consecutive tournament.
[Orlando Gill / Paraguay National Football Team Goalkeeper: "It was like a horror movie with German players popping up everywhere, considering their reputation. But on the pitch, it is a do-or-die situation. You fight with everything you have. That is football."]
Paraguay avenged their loss to Germany in the Round of 16 at the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup after 24 years, advancing to the Round of 16 for the first time in 16 years. Paraguayan President Pena declared June 30 as a temporary public holiday to celebrate the historic victory.
Reported by Jeon Yeongmin | Video by Yoon Tae-ho | Graphics by Kim Ye-ji
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