World Cup 2026: Paraguay shock Germany to win penalty shootout

South American football expert Tim Vickery felt a typical Paraguayan spirit shone through on the day.

“Paraguay love adversity,” he said.

“If you’re looking for someone to relate to in this World Cup, look for Paraguay. That Welsh word ‘hwyl’, that grit and drive, when it gets difficult, that’s when they come alive.

“They’ve come through adversity to knock out a giant of European football. It’s not always pretty, they play within their limitations, but what drama, what a story.

“The objective in this tournament was to make Paraguay feel represented and they’ve done that in full.”

Paraguay now play either two-time champions France or Sweden in Philadelphia on Saturday (22:00 BST).

Paraguay’s president Santiago Pena had already declared a public holiday after they had sealed World Cup qualification with a game to spare.

Now, with a place in the last 16 secured, the president has again declared a public holiday for Tuesday, 30 June.

In the announcement he said the day was “to commemorate the Paraguayan national team’s epic victory over four-time world champion Germany and its historic advancement to the World Cup round of 16.”

Head coach Gustavo Alfaro said he hoped all of Paraguay could celebrate this moment.

“I want all of Paraguay to enjoy this. We may have our defects, but we have a heart that never gives up, and that’s what keeps us alive.”