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Paraguay stuns Germany in a penalty shootout for the biggest upset of the 2026 World Cup
By Kyle Hightower, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 29, 2026
· 4 min read
José Canale wasn’t in the starting lineup in either of his previous two appearances for Paraguay in this World Cup.He made his first start a memorable one.Canale scored on the first sudden-death penalty kick, Orlando Gill made two key saves in the shootout, and Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 on penalt...
Key takeaway It was a major triumph for the landlocked South American country of 7 million people that's surrounded by soccer giants like Argentina and Brazil.
Why this matters in The Pearland
For Pearland residents with ties to the South American community, Paraguay's stunning upset over Germany in the 2026 World Cup is a thrilling development. The city's diverse population, which includes a sizable Hispanic community, may have been following the team's progress with interest. As Paraguay advances to the Round of 16, local fans may be eager to gather and watch the team's next match against the winner of France and Sweden. The fact that Paraguay's potential quarterfinal match would be held in Foxborough, a city with some cultural and economic ties to the Houston area, adds an extra layer of intrigue for local soccer enthusiasts. With the Houston area being a melting pot of international cultures, this World Cup match is likely to spark lively discussions and celebrations among Pearland's residents, particularly those with roots in South America.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? José Canale wasn’t in the starting lineup in either of his previous two appearances for Paraguay in this World Cup.He made his first start a memorable one.Canale scored on the first sudden-death penalty kick, Orlando Gill made two key saves in the shootout, and Paraguay beat Germany 4-3 on penalt...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kyle Hightower, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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