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Paraguay coach reveals secret ingredient behind historic win against Germany
30th June, 2026 04:05 PM
Paraguay’s players and coaching staff have credited confidence, careful planning and unwavering determination after shocking four-time world champions Germany in a penalty shootout to secure a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 on Monday, June 29, 2026.
The South Americans sealed a dramatic 4-3 victory on penalties following a 1-1 draw, producing one of the tournament’s biggest surprises while ending Germany’s perfect record in World Cup shootout contests.
Following Paraguay’s maiden victory in a World Cup knockout fixture, head coach Gustavo Alfaro paid tribute to his squad’s remarkable achievement.
Alfaro speaks
“I had 26 warriors before the match, and they became legends after it,” Alfaro said. “Maybe we’ll be eliminated in the next round, maybe not. We’ll see. But this match was epic.”
The Argentine tactician applauded his players for their fighting spirit and highlighted the contrast between Paraguay’s journey and Germany’s wealth of elite talent.
“Our opponents are developed in the best academies in Europe. We come from the red earth,” he said.
“We learned to play football barefoot, with parents making sacrifices so their children could pursue their dreams. That’s where we come from.”
Goalkeeper Orlando Gill emerged as the hero after denying two German spot-kicks to earn the Player of the Match award. He revealed that his performance was built on extensive preparation.
“I analysed every player, every aspect, every detail. I was able to save two penalties, and that proved decisive for our qualification,” said the 26-year-old.
Gill acknowledged the immense challenge posed by Germany, saying Paraguay spent much of the contest under sustained pressure.
“It was like a horror movie. The Germans just kept appearing everywhere,” he added.
Enciso reacts to historic win
Forward Julio Enciso, who found the back of the net during the match, said Paraguay approached the contest with respect but refused to be overwhelmed by Germany’s reputation.
“We respected them because they have very good players, but we weren’t afraid of anyone,” he said.
Paraguay will now meet the winner of Tuesday’s World Cup round-of-32 clash between France and Sweden, with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.
Enciso said the team has no intention of changing its approach for the next challenge despite the quality of its upcoming opponent.
“They have top-class players. There’s no need to mention their names because they are stars,” he said. “But we also have our own strengths, and with our style of play we’ll try to trouble whoever we face.” He said.
