Paraguay president Santiago Pena has declared a national holiday after the national football team caused a massive World Cup upset by beating Germany in the last-32.
The South Americans, who sneaked through to the knockouts after finishing as a best-placed third-place team, confined the Germans to their first-ever defeat in a World Cup penalty shootout.
Julio Enciso headed Paraguay into a first-half lead before Kai Havertz equalised in the second-half. Germany thought they’d scored a second in extra-time via Jonathan Tah’s header but it was ruled out after a controversial VAR review.
It went to penalties and while Paraguay dramatically spurned two opportunities to progress, Jose Canale sent German keeper Manuel Neuer the wrong way to win the tie.
Pena also declared a public holiday last September after Paraguay returned to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 and he announced another one, for Tuesday, 30 June, after his country’s historic moment.
Posting on X, Pena said: “Paraguay never gives up! Public holiday, damn it!”
According to Paraguayan law, the executive branch can declare up to three additional public holidays per year.
Paraguay will face either France or Sweden in the last-16 in Philadelphia on Saturday.
