ASUNCION, June 30, 2026 (Net) – The streets of Paraguay erupted Monday as people rejoiced in beat-ing powerhouse Germany in the World Cup and the president declared a national holiday.
Thousands of people gathered in downtown Asuncion to savor the moment — only the second time Para-guay has won a World Cup game in the knockout stage.
It did so by beating the Germans on penalties in a nail-biting finish.
Cars honking their horns snaked through the capital of the small South American country that does not usually get a lot of attention for anything.
But tonight, their team known as the “Albirroja” — alluding to the blue and red of their jersey — were kings.
President Santiago Pena took to X to echo the joyful national mood, writing “Paraguay never gives up.”
He then declared a “national holiday” with a playful swear word — “carajo” in Spanish — but left off the last letter, as if to keep things clean.
He did not give an immediate date for the holiday.
Germany had never before lost a World Cup shootout, but Paraguay held their nerve — even after two of their players missed kicks that would have sealed victory.
Their reward is a potential date with tournament favorites France, if France can get past Sweden on Tuesday.
Amado Salomon, a 58-year-old banker driving in the celebratory procession of cars, said Paraguay “did what it does best: defend with all their heart the whole game, and also in overtime.”
“This team never stops fighting,” he said.
Luis Espinola, a 61-year-old hotel employee, put it this way: “With Paraguay you have to suffer until the last minute.”
He added: “It is part of our identity.”
