Paraguay celebrates World Cup victory over Germany with national holiday declaration
via The Namibian1 min read
Paraguay erupted in celebration after its national football team, known as the "Albirroja," defeated Germany in a World Cup knockout stage match via a penalty shootout. Thousands gathered in downtown Asuncion, and cars honked through the capital. President Santiago Pena declared a national holiday, posting on X that "Paraguay never gives up." This marks only the second time Paraguay has won a World Cup knockout stage game. Germany had not previously lost a World Cup shootout. Paraguayan fans, like 58-year-old banker Amado Salomon, praised the team's defensive effort and fighting spirit. Luis Espinola, a 61-year-old hotel employee, noted that suffering until the last minute is part of Paraguay's identity. Paraguay's next potential opponent is France, if France wins its match against Sweden.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Must ReadThe Democratic Republic of Congo's national football team is preparing to face England in the World Cup last 32, having overcome numerous obstacles on their journey to their first World Cup in 52 years. These challenges include navigating 13 qualifiers, a pre-tournament quarantine due to an Ebola outbreak, and the instability caused by decades of conflict in the country. Yoane Wissa, a Newcastle striker who scored two goals in their first World Cup win against Uzbekistan, highlighted the difficulties faced in their home country, stating, "There鈥檚 a war in East Congo. Every day, every time we wear this shirt, we think about them." Many players in the squad have connections to England, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe having played for England at youth levels. Of the 26-man squad, 20 were born outside of Congo, with the majority in France, reflecting the impact of conflict forcing families to seek security in Europe. The team, led by French coach Sebastien Desabre, eliminated African powerhouses Cameroon and Nigeria in qualifying and secured their place with a victory over Jamaica. They also held Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal to a 1-1 draw in their opening World Cup game. Despite the hurdles, including their most famous fan, Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, being denied entry to the US due to Ebola protocols, the team has defied expectations and given their nation reason to dream.
Teenage cyclist Paul Seixas's involvement in the Tour de France has generated optimism for France to secure its first victory in the event in 41 years, a feat not achieved since Bernard Hinault's triumph in 1985. This long wait is one of several sporting droughts France is looking to overcome. The country also faces a 30-year dry spell in the Paris-Roubaix cycling classic, with the next edition in April 2027 marking three decades since Frederic Guesdon's win. In tennis, France has not had a men's winner at the French Open since Yannick Noah in 1983, and Mary Pierce's 2000 victory was the only home success for French women in the Open era. Historically, French football endured decades of struggles before winning the World Cup after 68 years and the European Championship after 24 years. Marseille's 1993 European Cup win was followed by Paris Saint-Germain's victory in May 2025. Other nations have also experienced significant sporting droughts, such as Britain's 76-year wait for a men's Wimbledon champion, ending with Andy Murray in 2013, and England's 60-year gap since their last World Cup football win. In rugby, France has yet to win the World Cup in its 39-year history, and Scotland has not won the Six Nations since 2000. Ireland ended a 111-year wait to beat New Zealand in 2016, while Scotland is still seeking a victory against the All Blacks after 121 years. Italy secured its first win against England in rugby after 35 years in March, and Australia has not won the Bledisloe
Germany is re-evaluating its footballing identity following another World Cup failure, leading to calls for significant changes at all levels of the sport. The four-time champions were eliminated by Paraguay in the last 32, marking their first-ever World Cup penalty shootout defeat and their third consecutive early exit from the tournament. Since winning the World Cup in 2014, Germany has not won an elimination match and has failed to keep a clean sheet. Calls for coach Julian Nagelsmann's dismissal have intensified, with former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp often mentioned as a potential successor. Klopp and others advocate for more fundamental changes to German football, particularly at the youth level. The German press criticized Nagelsmann's team after their loss to 41st-ranked Paraguay, with Sueddeutsche Zeitung calling it "a new humiliation" and Kicker lamenting that Germany is "drifting further and further away from the world's elite." Despite being Europe's most populous nation, Germany's ability to produce top-tier players has declined compared to France, Spain, and England. Injuries to key players have highlighted a shallow talent pool, increasing pressure on remaining world-class players like Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz, and Jamal Musiala, who have struggled to find their best form. Nagelsmann has faced considerable criticism, though he has pledged to stay on if the German FA DFB desires. Klopp, while dismissing suggestions he should take over, emphasized the need