Paraguay at the World Cup: The unlikely career of Orlando Gill

Gill played no small role in perhaps his country’s greatest World Cup success. On the contrary. In extra time, he turned DFB defender Waldemar Anton’s attempt to help his comrade Jonathan Tah get an unchallenged header by blocking the keeper into a weapon aimed at the Germans.

At least with each slowed repetition it looked a little more as if Gill had let himself fall in extra time after the corner kick that Tah had headed into the goal. He had noticed contact from Waldemar Anton, who was rather uninterested in the ball. Video referee Tatiana Guzmán, a former footballer from Nicaragua, sent referee Jalal Jayed (Morocco) to the TV screen; he decided to cancel the goal. “A complete scandal,” complained former national coach Julian Nagelsmann, while FIFA referee chief Pierluigi Collina replied that players and coaches had been warned before the World Cup that such scenes would be blown off. During the penalty shootout, Gill clapped his hands, unsettling Kai Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Tah. “I love penalties,” Gill would later say.

He saved 13 of the 16 shots that hit his goal in the preliminary round

For Gill, Monday became the most incredible day of an unlikely career. After the 4-1 defeat in the opening game against the USA, he was made fun of by Paraguay’s goalkeeping legend José Luis Chilavert (“he plays silently”); Against Germany he confirmed a performance that made him the best preliminary goalkeeper of the World Cup according to the Fifa ranking. He had 16 shots on goal and saved 13, and after the defeat against the USA he kept clean sheets against Australia and Turkey. Gill is now said to be sorting through offers from England (Ipswich Town), Spain (Valencia) and Italy (FC Torino). It would change his life financially in ways that seemed impossible just a few years ago.

In 2025, his wife made public how he had suffered in 2022, when he was still playing at the club in his hometown of San Lorenzo. Her son was born prematurely. Because Paraguay’s liberalized healthcare system is fleecing sick people and their families, Gill was forced to pawn his belongings. Also the jersey from his U20 debut with Paraguay.

The big turning point was a move to Argentina – to a club that, curiously enough, was also called San Lorenzo. Gill was signed for the B team; Because the club was bankrupt, he was initially not allowed to play. “The Paraguayan Courtois,” as he was called because of his stature (height: 1.95 meters), trained in the knowledge that he would not be allowed to play for a minute, and at times he received no money. Then he moved to the brighter side of football: a regular goalkeeper left, the substitute made a mistake, Gill got his chance, took advantage of it, and now he is playing in the World Cup round of 16 against France. And it seems he can make new memories.