France to potentially play Paraguay as Germany stunned in World Cup round of 32 | OneFootball

In the tie between France’s potential last 16 opponents, it was Paraguay who beat Germany on penalties in one of the most remarkable upsets in recent World Cup memory.

The Albirroja opened the scoring before the break through Strasbourg’s Enciso. Having set up in a defensive shape from the outset, one of their first clear attacks saw Miguel Almirón release Matías Galarza down the right wing. His cross was met by Enciso, who directed his header towards the bottom corner of Manuel Neuer’s goal.

The Germans recovered after half-time, though, and eventually found a way through as Kai Havertz nodded on a Florian Wirtz cross past Orlando Gill to level the score. The Arsenal man nearly scored the winner with fifteen minutes to go when he met another cross closer to goal, but he was denied by a good reaction save from Gill.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side pressed on for a winner, but were taken to extra-time by a stern Paraguay defence. Jonathan Tah believed he had headed in the winner in the first half of extra-time, but the goal was eventually ruled out after a VAR check saw the referee rule that Waldemar Anton had impeded the goalkeeper.

In a dramatic penalty shoot-out, which started with a save by Gill from Havertz’s spot-kick, Paraguay eventually clinched the win at the third opportunity. It was José Canale who scored the decider, winning the shootout 4-3 and prompting wild celebrations on and off the pitch.

Should Les Bleus beat Sweden tomorrow in New York, they will face Paraguay in Philadelphia on Saturday. They last faced the Albirroja in the last 16 in 1998, a match they won thanks to a winning goal from Laurent Blanc in extra-time.

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin – reporting from Boston Stadium