Paraguay’s longshot win in opposition to Germany within the Spherical of 32 is the most recent in a protracted line of World Cup knockout boilovers.
Revealed On 30 Jun 2026
Monday’s motion within the FIFA World Cup 2026 added one other chapter to the ebook of all-time knockout upsets within the match, with title contenders Germany shocked by Paraguay on the spherical of 32 stage, including but extra spice to an occasion that has already delivered loads of drama on the group stage.
Al Jazeera takes a take a look at the highest 5 upsets in World Cup knockout historical past:
Beneficial Tales
listing of 4 objectsfinish of listing
1. Germany vs Paraguay (2026)
Jose Canale wrote his title within the historical past books, steering longshots Paraguay to a thrilling shootout win over four-time champions Germany within the spherical of 32 of the 2026 World Cup.
Many thought Paraguay can be despatched house packing after the group stage when the USA thrashed them of their match opener, however the South Individuals turned their ache into function very quickly, knocking out Germany 4-3 on penalties for the largest upset in World Cup knockout historical past.
2. Germany vs Bulgaria (1994)
Germany have been on the receiving finish of multiple knockout upset – and this one dates again to the 1994 World Cup on American soil.
Of their first-ever and solely assembly on the World Cup, minnows Bulgaria toppled the defending champions within the quarterfinals, sealing a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Germany that went down as one of many largest shocks of the competitors.
3. Italy vs South Korea (2002)
A uncommon golden purpose determined Italy’s destiny on the 2002 World Cup when co-hosts South Korea knocked them out within the spherical of 16.
The Italians bought off to a promising begin when Christian Vieri gave them an early lead, however South Korea’s Seol Ki-Hyun struck a late equaliser, and Ahn Jung-Hwan sealed the deal, changing into the third of simply 4 to attain a golden purpose on the world finals.
The two-1 victory helped South Korea obtain a deep run on the match as they completed fourth, their greatest outcome within the World Cup to this point.
4. Brazil vs Germany (2014)
Germany handed Brazil an notorious 7-1 semifinal thrashing on the 2014 World Cup, breaking Brazilian hearts on their very own soil.
5 gamers discovered the web for Germany, with Oscar netting a Ninetieth-minute comfort for Brazil – capping a humiliating outcome which left Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari calling it the “worst day of my life”.
Germany went on to win that match, lifting their fourth world title.
5. Morocco vs Portugal (2022)
Morocco – who shocked the Netherlands on Monday to achieve the spherical of 16 – are not any strangers to pulling off an upset, particularly in opposition to European groups.
On the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Atlas Lions tamed Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal, beating them 1-0 within the quarterfinals regardless of ending the sport with 10 gamers.
The monumental victory noticed Morocco turn into the primary African and Arab facet to achieve the World Cup semifinals.
