Paraguay Declares Spontaneous Holiday After Penalty Shootout Victory Against Germany

Celebrations in the Capital

The legal basis for special holidays is Paraguayan Law Number 7,544, as reported by the newspaper ABC. According to this, the government can declare an additional day off under certain conditions to honor special national achievements. A holiday had already been declared in September 2025 after the Albirroja had mathematically qualified for the World Cup.

Paraguay is back at a football World Cup for the first time since 2010 and caused a worldwide sensation with the victory against the four-time world champions. The newspaper ABC described the result as a "worldwide sensation," while the daily newspaper "La Nación" spoke of a "heroic feat." In the last World Cup duel in 2002, the DFB team had knocked Paraguay out of the tournament.

Voices from the Team

Coach Gustavo Alfaro praised his team in the highest terms: "26 fighters went out for me and emerged as legends." The 63-year-old Argentine coach, who is called "Professor" by his players because of his in-depth analyses, further explained: "This mixture of passion and idealistic dreams gave us the opportunity to turn the seemingly impossible into reality." Captain Gustavo Gómez also pointed to the virtues that characterized his team: fighting spirit, indomitable will, and unconditional dedication.

A special personal note was contributed by goal scorer Julio Enciso. The 22-year-old from Racing Club Strasbourg had scored the 1:1 after extra time and said: "It is the most beautiful day of my life." He repeatedly looked up and commemorated his deceased grandfather. "I still remember well how he pointed at me and told me that I would stand here one day. Now I send my grandfather a kiss up to heaven," said the visibly moved striker, who spoke the words through tears. For extra time, Enciso announced: "We know what we can do and will cause damage to anyone who faces us."

International Reactions

Goalkeeper Orlando Gill, who made the decisive save in the penalty shootout, also dedicated his performance to a seriously ill nephew: "This special award is for my nephew, who is seriously ill in hospital. We hope he gets better soon, and I promised him that this award would be dedicated to him if I were named player of the game." President Peña summed up the mood in the country: "It celebrates the victory of a national team that embodies the essence of our identity: the fighting spirit, the faith, and the strength of a people that never gives up."

The triumph against Germany caused a stir internationally. In Ecuador, a national holiday was also declared following a 2:1 against the German team and the associated advancement to the round of sixteen. In Paraguay, numerous prominent figures also followed the game besides the jubilant fans in Asunción. The bank employee Amado Salomón described the atmosphere after the final whistle this way: Paraguay had "done what it does best" and "defended with its soul throughout the match and also in extra time."