Julio Enciso hailed Paraguay’s dramatic penalty shootoutas the “best day of my life” and highlighted the influence of his grandfather as La Albirroja reached the Round of 16.
The Strasbourg winger, one of the youngest players in a squad that blends individual talent with more experienced heads, scored Paraguay’s opening goal but watched the shootout from the bench after coming off injured.
“I’ve got to thank all my team-mates, the effort they put in was incredible,” Enciso said. “It’s the best day of my life, hands down, and I hope it is for the fans in Paraguay as well.
“It’s for my grandfather. He’d be so proud of me right now.”
While Enciso celebrated, Jose Canale was still trying to process the decisive moment. As he made the nervy walk from the halfway line to the penalty spot his mind was full, but he composed himself to fire a left-footed effort past legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. The spot-kick sparked pandemonium among Paraguayan players and supporters alike.
“I thought it was never going to end," Canale said. "I thought about my family, who were probably going through the mill more than I was.”
After 120 minutes of relentless battle and concentration, Gustavo Alfaro’s men knocked out four-time world champions Germany, thanks in no small part to Orlando Gill’s heroics in the penalty shootout.
“I kept two out, but the most important thing was to help the team,” said the San Lorenzo goalkeeper, who was named . “That’s just the way I am, but I’m delighted inside,” said the
His ice-cold stare reflected a performance that never dropped in intensity over two hours of football. Enciso’s first-half goal, La Albirroja’s first in a World Cup knockout match, was cancelled out by Kai Havertz’s clever glancing header.
Enciso was forced off with an injury in the 57th minute, with Mauricio stepping up to take Paraguay’s first penalty in the shootout.
“A penalty at the World Cup carries huge weight," Mauricio said. "Especially against a goalkeeper of Neuer’s calibre, and a top-class side as well. It was a huge responsibility I had to carry, and thankfully, everything went as planned.”
To take it to penalties, Paraguay had to dig deep, surrendering possession to Germany and adopting a backs-to-the-wall approach, with Alfaro's side contesting every second ball in an effort to go as far as possible.
“I asked the lads, as the national anthem was being played, to become 26 warriors, and that by the end of the match they would be remembered as legends,” the Paraguay coach reflected.
Alfaro's touch has certainly transformed Paraguay’s recent fortunes, from a Copa America to forget to World Cup qualification and a place in the Round of 16, where La Albirroja will go head-to-head with the winner of France and Sweden.
Sources: FIFA Official
