Paraguay has declared a spontaneous national holiday following its dramatic victory over Germany in the FIFA World Cup, advancing to the Round of 16.

Paraguay erupted in celebration after its national football team defeated Germany in a thrilling match during the FIFA World Cup. The victory, secured through a 4-3 penalty shootout, prompted President Santiago Peña to declare Tuesday a national holiday, allowing the entire country to revel in the historic achievement. The announcement was made via a government decree, emphasizing the significance of the triumph for the nation.

President Peña expressed his pride and joy on social media, stating, ‘Paraguay never gives up! Holiday, damn it!’ He further elaborated that the victory symbolizes the resilience, faith, and strength of the Paraguayan people. Peña also shared an image of himself wearing the national team jersey while signing the decree, thanking the team for uniting millions of citizens under one flag. The legal basis for the holiday stems from Law 7,544, which permits the president to declare up to three additional holidays per year for special occasions.

Celebrations broke out across Paraguay immediately after the match, with tens of thousands taking to the streets of the capital, Asunción. Car parades and jubilant gatherings marked the night, as fans expressed their joy and pride. A local hotelier, Luis Espínola, described the emotional journey of supporting the team, saying, ‘As fans of the Albirroja, we suffer until the last minute, but today, that suffering turned into immense joy.’ Paraguay, returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2010, will face either France or Sweden in the quarterfinals. The German team, previously considered the favorite, was eliminated in a surprising upset.