Paraguay players are heroes after upsetting Germany in World Cup

FOXBORO — Legendary in three hours.

>Orlando Gil, Julio Enciso and José Canale will return home to Paraguay with an undying story. Heroes for their nation — history made with each minute — in worldly fashion. Enciso provided Paraguay its first-ever goal in a World Cup knockout round. Gil saved two penalties and Canale finalized the night against Germany.

>Canale’s left-footed bullet to the top right lifted Paraguay to a 1-1 (4-3 in penalties) victory in the Round of 32 at Boston Stadium. The fateful strike, as Germany’s Manuel Neuer dove right, came as the sun set behind the Gillette Stadium lighthouse on Monday night. Canale carried his celebration to the right corner, in front of the German supporters, and the frenzied 63,945 in attendance.

>“[Paraguay manager Gustavo Alfaro] and all our fellow countrymen were already proud of us because we had already made history,” Enciso said via translator. “He reassured us and conveyed the idea [before the penalty shootout] that we could — that we could become legends of our country. And that is exactly what happened.”

>The four-time World Cup winners were sent home by a nation that hadn’t scored in five previous knockout round appearances. And a country that’s dwarfed in population to the German superpower. The real party isn’t in Massachusetts, it’ll be in South America where approximately seven million deserve a holiday tomorrow.

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>“To face any situation today – it was a game where we really needed to show our true colors as the Paraguayan team,” Gustavo Gomez said via translator. “I think Germany knew if they wanted to win it would be really hard for them. They knew we would fight to not be defeated. I think now that we’ve won we want to share this moment. We dedicate this to all the people of Paraguay and to our families. I think for several months we’ve given much happiness to our country.”

>“That’s the power that football has,” Alfaro said via translator. “It’s wonderful. I want the people to enjoy it. I want all of Paraguay to enjoy it. We can have thousands of defects. But we have a heart that never gives up – that’s what keeps us alive.”

>Enciso’s header, off a cross from Matías Galarza, supplied the oxygen to Paraguay’s upset in the 42nd minute. Juan Jose Cáceres ignited the chance with his tackle in the midfield to deny Germany a counterattack off a rebounded corner. Possession was played out wide right before Galarza sent in the cross.

>The knockout triumph was Paraguay’s second in eight World Cup appearances after it toppled Japan in penalties in the Round of 16 in 2010.

>“There are many sensations, obviously,” Gill said via translator. “You don't know how to express it. But happy for the qualification, for helping the team in the penalty shootout and this qualification is dedicated to all the people, to all the Paraguayan people.”

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>A disallowed goal for interference by Germany sent the match to extra time. A white-knuckled 30 minutes of play gave way to penalties where Gil made his first stop on the opening chance of the shootout.

>The match might’ve been won there, but the keeper made his second save in the fourth round, diving to his left to keep preserve Paraguay’s advantage. Antonio Sanabria missed Paraguay’s first chance at victory and then a save from Neuer led to a 3-3 tie. But Jonathan Tah missed his chance to put Germany ahead and Canale buried the winner.

>“I don’t know where I got my strength,” Gil said via translator. “We played for 120 minutes. We gave our hearts and we were able to keep the draw until penalties. Thanks to that I could save as many needed to qualify. “

>Paraguay plays the winner of France-Sweden on July 4 at 5 p.m. It won’t be favored against the French and it’s a coin flip against Sweden, the third-place finishers from Group F. This result, though, will carry through time.

>“What’s clear for me is, the heart of my players,” Alfaro said via translator. “We [played] a very strong national team with four stars on their jersey. They’re used to playing in this type of match. Germany is one of the great teams. They could have won, but we resisted, and that’s what allowed us to win. We dedicate this to the whole country.”

>This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Paraguay players are heroes after upsetting Germany in World Cup