Paraguay smash German shootout myth

PARAGUAY sensationally sent four-time champions Germany crashing out of the World Cup on Monday as Brazil and Morocco clinched dramatic victories to reach the last 16.

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Germany's hopes of mounting a deep run at the tournament ended at Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium with the country’s first ever defeat in a World Cup penalty shoot-out.

The seismic upset was the highlight of another day of enthralling action as the knockout rounds got into full swing, with Brazil coming from behind to score an injury-time winner in a 2-1 defeat of Japan before Morocco edged past the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties in a classic duel in Monterrey.

Orlando Gill was the hero for Paraguay in their shoot-out defeat of Germany, saving from Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade to give them a crucial advantage.

Paraguay blew two chances to win it before Jose Canale blasted in the winning spot-kick after Germany's Jonathan Tah blazed his effort over the bar.

Germany had never lost a penalty shoot-out at a World Cup on four previous occasions since the 1982 finals in Spain.

"Obviously, we analysed every player and every detail of the penalty-takers," ‘keeper Gill said afterwards. "Thank God I was able to save two penalties. This is a privilege; we eliminated a champion."

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who sat stunned on the bench after the defeat, said simply: "We didn’t do enough today."