‘I’m sure he’s proud of me’: Tears flowed after Paraguay’s stunning World Cup upset of Germany
FOXBOROUGH — Fifteen minutes after the final penalty kick hit the net Monday, 2½ hours after he scored one of the biggest goal’s in his country’s history, Paraguay forward Julio Enciso stepped to the podium, his eyes puffy and bloodshot.
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Voice trembling at times, holding back tears, Enciso did his best to put into words the emotion of a shootout win over Germany that marks the biggest upset of this World Cup so far.
“It’s the best day of my life,” Enciso said. “I really want to send a big hug to everyone in our country, to all the people. I’m sure it’s the best day of their lives, too.”
The Paraguayan fans brought an incredible atmosphere to Foxborough on Monday, their singing — accompanied by drums and cymbals played by fans who might’ve needed their own hydration breaks — ceaseless through 120 minutes of play.
Enciso’s goal, his first at a World Cup and Paraguay’s first ever in a Cup knockout match, came after 41 minutes of German domination. The Paraguayans didn’t care. They had a 1-0 lead, and the entire team — reserves and substitutes included — rushed to the corner flag to celebrate.
It was the start of an emotional rollercoaster for Paraguay, which led in the first half only to concede in the second, and then looked to have conceded an extra-time winner only for video review to intervene, and finally enduring a gut-wrenching penalty shootout.
After Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade both had their penalties saved by Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill, Paraguay had two chances to seal the shootout. One went wide left, the other was saved, and it seemed like “La Albirroja” had thrown it away.
Then Germany’s Jonathan Tah blasted his spot kick over the bar, and the Paraguayans didn’t waste a third chance at glory. Jose Canalé delivered on Paraguay’s sixth penalty, and in the process delivered perhaps his country’s greatest ever World Cup win.
“We can have a thousand defects,” said coach Gustavo Alfaro. “But we have a heart that never gives up.”
Canalé’s finish kicked off raucous celebrations from Gillette Stadium’s upper deck to the streets of Asunción, where the party might not stop until Tuesday. Fortunately, Paraguayan president Santiago Peña has already declared Tuesday a national holiday.
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“That’s the power that football has,” Alfaro said.
Alfaro is a coach happy to draw on emotion. The 63-year-old Argentine is best known as much for his philosophical meanderings in press conference as his unwavering dedication to a grinding, results-driven style of soccer that prioritizes practicality over aesthetics.
After Paraguay’s pre-World Cup send-off exhibition, Alfaro held back tears as he addressed his adopted nation.
“I know what this country feels. I know what 16 long years of waiting, of frustrations, of heartbreaks, of curses, of watching a World Cup on television feel like,” he said as Paraguay headed to its first World Cup since 2010. “I am not going to ask any Paraguayan to be rational. No, quite the contrary. We are prepared to fight. We are prepared to offer our hearts. We are prepared to leave our skin on the pitch. We are prepared to honor the memory of our past.”
On Monday, he said he wanted his team he wanted to see “26 warriors” on the pitch, becoming “legends.”
Paraguay needed that warrior spirit as a significant underdog against the four-time world champions. But the four stars on the Germans’ shirts made no difference once Canalé’s winning penalty hit the back of the net.
Canalé immediately rushed to goalkeeper Orlando Gill, whose two saves in the shootout put Paraguay on the brink of glory. TV cameras cut to Paraguayan fans in tears, sharing embraces, and waving Paraguayan flags.
As for Enciso, all he could think of was his late grandfather, who first sparked his interest in the game, who took young Julio to see “La Albirroja,” who dreamed of seeing his grandson play at a World Cup someday.
Enciso’s grandfather died in 2023 and never got to see him at the “Mundial” — at least not from this side, anyway.
“[I’m thinking of the Julio] who was sitting next to my grandfather,” Enciso said, holding back tears. “I dedicate this to him. I’m sure he’s proud of me. Honestly, all I can think of is him. Advancing is a gift from God and from him.
“I’m sending a big kiss up to my grandfather in heaven.”
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