Orlando Gill's heroics in net spark one of World Cup's most memorable upsets

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Julio Enciso was almost done with his victory lap when a reporter asked his thoughts on Orlando Gill, the newest Paraguayan national hero following Paraguay's victory over Germany to advance to the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup.

>"Top," Enciso said while parading through the mixed zone in reference to Gill.

>Because without the keeper's adventures in net for 120-plus minutes and his stout penalty shootout performance, in which he stopped three of six German attempts, Paraguay would not have pulled off one of the most memorable World Cup upsets of all time.

>After the match — only his 10th international appearance as he made his senior national team debut in 2025 — Gill dedicated the victory to the approximately 6.5 million citizens of the landlocked South American country.

>"I'm sure it must be very exciting. This is for them," Gill said in Spanish. "I'm really happy. I know they have suffered with us."

>Gill also shouted out his family and his nephew, Alejandro, who is currently hospitalized in Paraguay.

>"Alejandro, this is for you, I hope you get better soon. Your godfather is here, supporting you from afar," he said in Spanish.

>Hardly two weeks ago, Gill was a pariah among ex-national team members, with former Paraguay keeper José Luis Chilavert accusing the 26-year-old of playing as a "mute" following the team's 4-1 loss to the United States on June 12.

>"For Orlando, I'm happy for him. Because he went through difficult moments after the 4-1 defeat and all the doubts around him," Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro said. "Many things were said. I really trusted him. I still really trust him. I think he's a goalkeeper that, one game after another, he became a more solid goalkeeper."

>Before Monday's match, Alfaro said the staff were discussing how some Spanish teams were scouting Gill, who currently plays for San Lorenzo de Almagro at the club level in Paraguay.

>"I'm sure that after his performance today – and I hope this for him – that he can make that leap," Alfaro said.

>Gill was confident in net all afternoon despite Germany maintaining possession in the Paraguayan half and final third of the pitch for what felt like the entire match. His defense blocked shot and created harsh angles. He provided no rebound opportunities.

>Kai Havertz snuck a header past Gill in the 54th minute. In overtime, he stopped Havertz with an outstretched hand and also denied Anton Waldeman from point-blank range. Before that, he was the recipient of good fortune, with VAR removing a goal from Jonathan Tah extra time. The refs determined Waldeman fouled Gill as he tried to intercept the corner kick that led to Tah's header that momentarily put Germany ahead.

>Gill's finest moments came in the shootout, however. He first stonewalled Havertz by guessing correctly and diving low and to his left for the save and did the same to deny Nick Woltemade. Tah skied Germany's sixth attempt as the shootout entered sudden death, and Gill joined the party when José Canale hammered home the deciding PK.

>"We had to analyze every player, every detail. Thanks to that I was able to only miss two penalties," Gill said. "This is for all the people of Paraguay."

>This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Orlando Gill's heroics in net spark one of World Cup's most memorable upsets