President Santiago Pena announced a national holiday after Paraguay’s football team did the unthinkable in the ongoing edition of the FIFA World Cup 2026 by defeating four-time champions Germany to secure a spot in the Round of 16. After a 1-1 draw in their Round of 32 match, the South American team maintained composure to win 4-3 on penalties on a night that is already part of Paraguayan sports history. The outcome added further weight to a thrilling match characterised by tension, controversy, and high-stakes drama. It was Germany’s first-ever World Cup exit via penalty shootout.
