Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill stuns Germany in shootout to reach World Cup last 16

Orlando Gill saved two penalties in a dramatic shootout to eliminate Germany from the 2026 World Cup, as Paraguay — 5-to-1 underdogs — stunned the four-time champions and advanced to the Round of 16.

The 26-year-old goalkeeper, playing in his first World Cup, first denied Kai Havertz with an outstretched right arm to open the shootout, then saved again from Nick Woltemade to give Paraguay a decisive edge. Jose Canale eventually beat Manuel Neuer to seal the victory and send Germany home.

“It showed that you shouldn’t speak too soon,” Gill said after the match. “This proves that Paraguay is capable of achieving great things. The opportunity was bound to come sooner or later.”

Germany dominated the contest in almost every statistical measure, possessing the ball more than twice as long as Paraguay and registering 21 shots on goal to Paraguay’s seven. Gill conceded Havertz’s equaliser in the 54th minute, but a potential German winner from Jonathan Tah was disallowed in the 12th minute of extra time after a video review determined that Waldemar Anton had interfered with the Paraguayan goalkeeper.

“It was like a horror movie. Germans were popping up everywhere,” Gill said. “Even I still can’t believe it.”

The 6-foot-6 San Lorenzo stopper had already been in fine form during the group stage, keeping clean sheets in a 1-0 victory over Turkey and a 0-0 draw with Australia, though he conceded four goals against the United States.

On the other side of the shootout stood Neuer, appearing in his fifth World Cup. The Bayern Munich legend, who helped Germany lift the trophy in 2014 and guided his club to two Champions League titles and 13 Bundesliga championships, did save one penalty himself — from Fabian Balbuena — before Tah sent his effort over the crossbar to open sudden death.

“Neuer is a world-class goalkeeper,” Gill said. “I shared a shootout with him, and he managed to save a penalty, too. I have nothing but respect for an idol like him.”

Paraguay’s reward is a Round of 16 tie on Saturday in Philadelphia against either France or Sweden.