Paraguay's stunning elimination of Germany in the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has reignited debate about one of football's most enduring pleasures — the giant-killing upset on the sport's grandest stage.
It is a feeling that transcends tactics and statistics. When an underdog lines up against a nation that has lifted the World Cup trophy multiple times, something shifts in stadiums and living rooms across the globe. For African fans who have watched their own teams come agonisingly close to similar feats, those moments carry a particular resonance.
Ireland's landmark moment against Italy
The 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States delivered one of the tournament's most celebrated shocks when the Republic of Ireland defeated Italy 1-0 in the group stage. Ray Houghton's looping strike silenced a heavily favoured Italian side and sent an entire island into delirium. Players who featured in that match later described the experience as surreal — a sense that normal rules had been suspended for 90 minutes.
Norway produced a similarly seismic result at France 1998, beating Brazil — the reigning champions at the time — in the group stage. Kjetil Rekdal's late penalty condemned a Brazil side expected to cruise through the group, and Norway's players celebrated as though they had won the tournament itself.
Paraguay's victory over Germany
The latest chapter in this tradition belongs to Paraguay, whose players dismantled a Germany side ranked among the pre-tournament favourites. The result sent shockwaves through the 2026 edition and immediately drew comparisons to those earlier landmark results.
For the players involved in any such upset, the aftermath is unlike anything else in football. The weight of expectation falls entirely on the bigger nation, and when that expectation crumbles, the release is overwhelming. Coaches, players, and supporters describe a mixture of disbelief, euphoria, and an almost desperate need to hold on to the feeling before it fades.
Why upsets matter
These moments are not simply curiosities or footnotes. They are the reason the World Cup commands an audience unlike any other sporting event. No script, no algorithm, and no rankings table can guarantee what will happen when two teams step onto the pitch with everything on the line.
For African nations — many of whom have come within a single game or a single penalty of producing their own historic upset — Paraguay's victory is both an inspiration and a reminder. The 2026 World Cup, with its expanded 48-team format, has already delivered at least one result that will be discussed for decades. It almost certainly will not be the last.
