Julio Enciso exits with injury after giving Paraguay lead over Germany

Field Level Media|published: Mon 29th June, 18:18 2026

June 29, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, U.S.; Germany's Manuel Neuer in action with Paraguay's Julio Enciso. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Paraguay goal-scorer Julio Enciso departed in the 57th minute of their round of 32 clash with Germany with an apparent lower-body injury after he gave his side a shock lead late in the first half.

Only moments after Germany tied it 1-1 through Kai Havertz's header, Enciso went down under the force of a challenge and received medical treatment.

He was eventually shuttled off and replaced by Mauricio as Paraguay was forced to use their second substitution window of the match.

Enciso put Paraguay in front in the 42nd minute when he headed in Matias Galarza's cross on the second phase of a corner kick.

The 22-year-old RC Strasbourg man appeared to suffer a hamstring injury in Paraguay's final tuneup match for the World Cup, at home against Nicaragua on June 5.

With reports suggesting he would be scratched for potentially two group matches, he instead surprised many when he started for his side against the United States, albeit in a 4-1 loss.

He finished the group stage having played 269 of 270 minutes for the Albirroja.

--Ian Nicholas Quillen, Field Level Media

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