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Orlando Gill Sends Paraguay Into Last 16 With Penalty Shootout Win Over Germany

Five saves in 120 minutes and two penalty stops elevated Gill from a viral family hardship story to global attention, prompting reported interest from European clubs.

Overview

  • On June 29, Gill made five saves during the match and stopped two spot-kicks in the Round of 32 shootout to eliminate four-time champions Germany and send Paraguay into the World Cup last 16.
  • Paraguay became the first team to beat Germany in a World Cup penalty shootout and reached the knockout stage for the first time since 2010.
  • Players and media have widely shared Gill’s backstory that he sold clothes and goalkeeping kit to cover medical bills when his son was born prematurely, a claim corroborated by his wife’s social posts.
  • Gill was a late-developing international who had only a handful of senior appearances before breaking through at San Lorenzo after a 2024 loan that became permanent in January 2025, and his San Lorenzo contract runs to December 2027.
  • European clubs including Torino, Besiktas and Valencia were reported to be monitoring him after the match, with transfer outlets suggesting a market price in the low millions of euros while stressing those approaches are preliminary.