World Cup 2026: Germany Held to 1-1 Draw by Paraguay

Havertz answers Enciso as Foxborough finishes level

This World Cup 2026 Round of 32 tie at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough ended Germany 1-1 Paraguay, a result that flew in the face of the strong pre-match consensus pointing Germany's way. Paraguay struck first through Julio Enciso just before the interval, and although Kai Havertz restored parity early in the second half, the favourites could not find the winner that nearly everyone had anticipated.

The match stretched well beyond ninety minutes, the volume of late substitutions and a disallowed German goal hinting at extra time. For all Germany's pressure and personnel changes, Paraguay's resilience earned them a share of a tie that few outside Asunción had given them a chance in.

Who Flick and Paraguay sent out from the off

From Enciso's opener to Tah's chalked-off effort

Paraguay landed the first meaningful blow three minutes before the break, Julio Enciso finishing off a Mathias Galarza assist to send them in front at the interval. Germany responded almost immediately on the restart, sending Leon Goretzka on for Felix Nmecha at half-time, and the change bore fruit by the 54th minute when Kai Havertz converted a Florian Wirtz pass to level matters.

From there the contest became a tactical chess match. Paraguay reshuffled quickly, withdrawing Enciso among others, while Germany leaned on their bench with Jamal Musiala and later Nick Woltemade introduced to chase a winner. Antonio Cubas picked up a yellow card on 65 minutes as the visitors dug in. The tie pushed into extra time, where Germany thought they had broken through on 103 minutes through Jonathan Tah, only for VAR (video assistant referee) to cancel the goal. Paraguay's flurry of late substitutions kept fresh legs on the pitch, and the scoreline held at 1-1.

Why the Germany 2-0 call never came true

The futbol.so community leaned firmly behind Germany, with the most popular scoreline a comfortable Germany 2-0. That confidence was echoed across national groups, from Colombia's bolder Germany 3-1 to England's emphatic Germany 4-0, while Argentine and Austrian voices nudged towards a tidy Germany 2-0. The official forecast was similarly weighted, making a German victory by far the likeliest outcome and a draw something of an afterthought.

Reality had other ideas. Paraguay refused to play their assigned role of obliging underdog, taking the lead and then holding firm once Havertz had equalised. It was the kind of result that reminds you why predictions and ninety-plus minutes of football rarely move in step.

Video highlights

FIFA WC 2026 | Germany - Paraguay 1:1 (3:4) | (plej-of ) | 29.06.2026.

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Alemania vs Paraguay (1-1) (Penaltis 3-4) | Resumen | Highlights Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026™

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PARAGUAY STORICO, GERMANIA eliminata ai RIGORI: Germania-Paraguay 4-5 DCR | FIFA World Cup | DAZN

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FULL Penalty Shoot-Out | Germany v Paraguay | FIFA World Cup 2026

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HIGHLIGHTS - Germany v Paraguay | Nail-biting Round of 32 Game | FIFA World Cup 2026

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World Cup: Germany vs Paraguay

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World Cup: Germany vs Paraguay

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World Cup: Germany vs Paraguay

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Germany On Playing Paraguay | Julian Nagelsmann & Kai Havertz Takes Questions

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Paraguay On Playing Germany | Gustavo Alfaro & Gustavo Gomez Take Questions

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Germany Train Before Paraguay | FIFA World Cup 2026™

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Paraguay Train Before Germany | FIFA World Cup 2026™

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A 1-1 draw leaves both sides with plenty to ponder. Germany will rue the chances that did not fall and the Tah goal ruled out by VAR, while Paraguay can take heart from a disciplined, spirited display against one of the tournament's heavyweights. With the tie level after extra time, all eyes now turn to how it is ultimately settled and where each side goes from here in the 2026 World Cup.