Gustavo Gómez about Paraguay's place in the World Cup: "Germany knew"
Paraguay is qualified for the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. The team led by coach Gustavo Alfaro eliminated favorite Germany on penalties, this Monday (29), in a match played at Gillette Stadium, in Boston, in the United States.
After the feat, captain and defender Gustavo Gómez, a Palmeiras player, praised the group's performance and unity. "The feeling is difficult to explain. I'm proud of my teammates, of the whole group," said Gómez.
The defender, who played for 120 minutes, highlighted the collective strength: "We, in all situations, with everything that has been said, I rescue from this group, the unity. This group has incredible strength to face any situation."
According to the defender, the match against the Germans required a lot of effort and commitment. However, Gómez believes that Germany itself was already expecting a tough confrontation.
"Deep down, Germany knew that they would have to 'give their blood' to play and that we were going to 'sell this defeat very dearly'", said the captain. He dedicated the victory to the Paraguayan people and their families.
Gómez highlighted the pride that the team has given the country and the importance of continuous work. "This is what we are planting, so that in the future we will have a more solid team, with stronger players. That is the most important thing", he concluded.
How the classification went
Paraguay's classification was confirmed in an exciting penalty shootout, after a 1-1 draw in normal time. The South American team beat Germany 4-3 on kicks, at the Gillette Stadium, in Boston, in the United States, guaranteeing their place in the round of 16 of the World Cup.
Julio Enciso opened the scoring for Paraguay in the 41st minute of the first half. Germany equalized in the second half, with a goal from Kai Havertz.
Despite the defeat, Germany dominated possession, with 65%. However, the Paraguayan defensive system proved to be efficient, neutralizing the opponent's attacks. Goalkeeper Orlando Gill was the highlight of the match, with crucial performances in regulation time and two decisive saves on penalties.
Next challenge
Now, Paraguay is preparing to face the winner of the clash between France and Sweden in the round of 16. The match is scheduled for Saturday (4), at 6pm (Brasília time), at Lincoln Financial Field, in Philadelphia.
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Source: CNN