How Germany were handed a World Cup humbling and what it means to Paraguay
As well as Gill’s heroics, Paraguay’s unlikely victory was founded on coach Alfaro’s unshakeable faith in his defenders. At a World Cup of plucky performances
As well as Gill’s heroics, Paraguay’s unlikely victory was founded on coach Alfaro’s unshakeable faith in his defenders. At a World Cup of plucky performances and unlikely odds upended, Paraguay have produced a shock for the ages. The South American underdogs held Germany to a 1-1 draw after extra time, then eliminated the four-time world champions on penalties on Monday. The outcome may well be the greatest upset in World Cup history, given it came in the group stage. Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at what the result means to the two countries. Is this Paraguay’s greatest upset at a World Cup? At the World Cup in 1998, Paraguay were clinging to a 0-0 draw in a last-16 meeting with hosts France in the hope of some penalty shootout magic from goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert, but a 114th-minute golden goal by Laurent Blanc dashed that strategy. Twenty-eight years later, Paraguay pulled off what the Chilavert generation could not. Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill saved the efforts of Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade before Jonathan Tah fired over the bar, and the way was paved for Jose Canale to blast home the decisive spot kick. It was the first time Germany had lost a penalty shootout at the World Cup. History of heroics from Paraguay’s Gill Gill has some history of his own as a penalty stopper. He saved two for his club side, San Lorenzo, in a shootout against River Plate in an Apertura match in Argentina in May, although San Lorenzo eventually lost. Last year, in a quarterfinal against Argentinos Juniors, he pulled off the decisive save in another shootout. “It’s difficult to describe in words,” Gill said on Monday after helping the 5-to-1 underdogs advance to the round of 16.
“It was a very challenging game. We were under attack from all sides, but we resisted.” “It showed that you shouldn’t speak too soon,” he said as he left the pitch while some of his teammates sobbed with joy. “This proves that Paraguay is capable of achieving great things. The opportunity was bound to come sooner or later.” Asked about his two saves in the shootout, he said: “We had to analyse every player, every detail.” “Now, with a cool head, I’m going to sit down and analyse what we’ve achieved. We managed to hold on until the 120th minute, and luck was on our side during the shootout.” Gill’s next match will be on Saturday in Philadelphia against France or Sweden. Paraguay coach Alfaro shows faith in his defenders As well as Gill’s heroics, Paraguay’s unlikely victory was founded on coach Gustavo Alfaro’s unshakeable faith in his defenders. Criticised for his tactics in the group phase, when Paraguay lost their opening game 4-1 to cohosts the United States and scored only two goals over the three games, Alfaro doubled down on his bet on his backline against Germany. “Today was a match in which we had to be Paraguay more than ever,” captain Gustavo Gomez said. “I think deep down, Germany knew that if they wanted to beat us, they would have to sweat blood, because we were going to make defeat very, very costly for them.” Paraguay’s spirit carries them to last 16 at World Cup That spirit was on show in a 1-0 group phase win over Turkiye, when Paraguay were reduced to 10 men just before half-time and their opponents had 32 attempts on goal.
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