Brazil battled back to edge Japan
Paraguay stunned Germany in a crazy shootout
One titan got up off the floor. Another threatened the most epic shootout escape ever, but ultimately suffered a Round-of-32 KO. Germany had never lost on penalties at the FIFA World Cup™. After being down and out seemingly, Manuel Neuer implausibly got them back on level terms, only for Paraguay to finally seize their third spot-kick shot at reaching the last 16. There had also been drama in the day’s first game, Gabriel Matinelli rising from the bench to lift Brazil past Japan.
The Samurai Blue had the Seleção staring at failure to be among the final 16 for the first time in 60 years. Just before the half-hour, Kaishu Sano intercepted the adidas TRIONDA on the halfway line and buried it into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. Casemiro headed home an equaliser, but when Zion Suzuki’s reflexes – and the upright – denied Vinicius Jr a solo goal, extra time appeared on the cards. On its cusp, however, Bruno Guimares faked the shot and slipped in Gabriel Martinelli, whose strike went in off the inside of the upright.
Julio Enciso’s mercurial feet were earmarked as a threat. The shortest player on the pitch, however, used his head, while in between 1.90m and 1.95m centre-backs, to plant La Albirroja ahead. The Germans used their own aerial prowess to equalise, Kai Havertz, with his back to goal, diverting Florian Wirtz’s cross into the bottom corner. After another header, from Jonathan Tah, was ruled out, the tie went to a shootout. Orlando Gill repelled two penalties in it to leave the Paraguayans all but through, only for Manuel Neuer to inspire a remarkable fightback. Finally, with what was the third spot-kick the Paraguayans had to progress, Jose Canale kept his cool to send Gustavo Alfaro’s charges through.
Bruno Guimaraes has provided four assists in four appearances in North America. It is a record for one World Cup this century also owned by Michael Ballack (2002), Francesco Totti (2006) and Juan Cuadrado (2014).
Casemiro equalled the World Cup record for appearances without defeat shared by Zagallo and Julio Olarticoechea (12).
Kai Havertz became the first German to score a header with his back to goal since Uwe Seeler in the thrilling 3-2 win over England in the Mexico 1970 quarter-finals.
Sources: FIFA Official
