2026 FIFA World Cup produced one of its most unforgettable nights on Monday as Germany and the Netherlands crashed out in stunning fashion, leaving Paraguay and Morocco to celebrate famous victories that few had predicted.
Within the space of a few hours, two of Europe’s biggest football nations were sent home after dramatic Round of 32 encounters that swung on resilience, late drama and penalty shootout heroics.
Germany’s exit was the more historic of the two.
Paraguay stunned the four-time world champions 4-3 on penalties after an absorbing 1-1 draw over 120 minutes, becoming the first nation ever to eliminate Germany in a FIFA World Cup knockout match via a penalty shootout.
The South Americans struck first in the 42nd minute when Julio Enciso rose highest to power home Paraguay’s first-ever goal in a FIFA World Cup knockout-stage match, handing La Albirroja a dream lead.
Germany found a response after the break through Kai Havertz, whose composed finish levelled the scores and kept Julian Nagelsmann’s side alive.
The Germans thought they had completed the turnaround in extra time when Jonathan Tah found the back of the net, only for VAR to rule the goal out after determining that Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill had been fouled in the build-up.
With nothing separating both sides after 120 minutes, the contest went to penalties.
Germany appeared to have the advantage.
They had never lost a World Cup knockout penalty shootout and, standing in goal, was 40-year-old captain Manuel Neuer, one of the greatest goalkeepers the competition has ever seen.
Neuer showed exactly why he still commands that reputation, producing a brilliant save to deny Fabián Balbuena and briefly shifting the momentum in Germany’s favour.
But Paraguay had a goalkeeper who was writing his own story.
Orlando Gill produced the performance of his life, making superb saves to deny Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade before Germany’s hopes finally disappeared when Jonathan Tah blasted their fifth penalty over the crossbar.
With history within touching distance, José Canale stepped forward and calmly sent Neuer the wrong way to seal a famous 4-3 shootout victory, sparking emotional celebrations among the Paraguay players and supporters.
It was more than just qualification for the Round of 16. Paraguay had ended Germany’s perfect World Cup penalty shootout record while producing arguably the greatest result in the nation’s football history.
If Paraguay’s victory stunned the football world, Morocco’s triumph over the Netherlands was every bit as dramatic.
The Dutch looked set for a place in the last 16 after Cody Gakpo fired them in front in the second half, while goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen made a series of fine saves to frustrate the Atlas Lions.
But Morocco refused to surrender.
Deep into stoppage time, Issa Diop powered home an equaliser to force extra time and silence the Dutch supporters.
Neither side could find a winner during the additional 30 minutes, sending the tie to another penalty shootout.
Morocco held their nerve to prevail 3-2 from the spot.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou once again underlined his reputation as one of football’s finest penalty specialists with crucial saves, before Ismael Saibari calmly converted the decisive kick to send Morocco into the Round of 16.
The back-to-back eliminations of Germany and the Netherlands have blown the tournament wide open.
While two established European giants head home much earlier than expected, Paraguay and Morocco march on carrying belief, momentum and the tag of giant killers after producing two of the biggest upsets of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
