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2026 World Cup Language 19: Win a shootout
It’s day 19 of the 2026 World Cup and on today’s World Cup language podcast we look at a phrase from the Germany versus Paraguay last-32 match: ‘win a shootout’. You can read the transcript for this podcast below, while you can also check out our glossary of footballing phrases here and visit our site to access all our previous posts and podcasts. If you have any suggestions or questions about the phrase or our podcast then you can contact us here.
Hello
DF: Hello everyone. This is Damian from the Learn English through Football team and I hope you are all well and enjoying the World Cup. This is day 19 of our World Cup language series in which we explain a phrase or expression from the World Cup each day.
Yesterday Damon explained the phrase, ‘stoppage time‘ after Canada defeated South Africa in the first knock-out game of the tournament. And well done to Canada, they are the first team to qualify for the last 16. I watched that game in a stormy Mexico City after my plane had been delayed but I am now back in London where the weather is nice and sunny but of course the kick-offs are seven or eight hours ahead of Mexico and the USA; so I am now watching games at crazy times during the night!
I mentioned that the knock-out stages have begun and today I am going to explain some phrases from one of the biggest shocks at the 2026 World Cup. Paraguay knocked out Germany after defeating them on penalties and I am going to look at the phrase, ‘win a shoot-out‘.
Stinger: You are listening to the Learn English Through Football Podcast.com (in German)
Yes, you are listening to the Learn English through Football podcast and that message was in German and no doubt many German fans will be very unhappy with their team and their manager Julian Nagelsmann after their defeat against Paraguay.
Win a shootout
DF: Right, Paraguay and Germany played out a 1-1 draw in their last-32 match in Boston. The Germans, the clear favourites beforehand, were unable to break down the Paraguayan defence in 90 minutes or in extra time and so they went to penalties. We sometimes call this set of penalties a penalty shootout – this is because it is very dramatic and the losing team goes home. Germany has a really strong record in penalty shootouts at major tournaments and were clear favourites to win this one but three of their players missed their spot kicks which meant that Paraguay won the shoot out 4-3. We can say that Paraguay won 4-3 on penalties or that Paraguay won the shootout or won the penalty shoot out. And here’s how the BBC reported the victory:
Germany have been knocked out of the 2026 World Cup, losing to Paraguay in a thrilling penalty shootout after it finished 1-1 after extra time (BBC.co.uk June 30)
Of course, we can also hear the phrase, ‘lose a penalty shootout‘ which is what happened to the German side; they lost the penalty shootout against Paraguay. The Netherlands also lost a penalty shootout after drawing 1-1 with Morocco – the Moroccans advanced to the next round after winning the penalty shootout.
Stinger: You are listening to the Learn English Through Football Podcast.com (in Arabic)
Contact
DF: Yes, you are listening to the Learn English through Football podcast and that message was in Arabic. Now don’t forget, if you want to get in contact with us or ask a football-language question then just come along to our site or go to our World Cup forum or you can write to us at: contact@learnenglishthroughfootball.com.
Goodbye
DF: Thank you everyone again for listening. On today’s World Cup language show, we looked at the phrase, ‘win a shootout‘, which is used to describe a team defeating another team on penalties. Can you think of any other words or expressions, in any language, that are similar to this phrase? If so, drop us a line and let us know. Damon will be here again tomorrow with some more expressions from day 16 of the World Cup. Until then, bye bye.
Related Links
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- 2026 World Cup Language 18: Stoppage time
- 2026 World Cup Language 17: See off an opponent
- 2026 World Cup Language 16: To Spill
- 2026 World Cup Language 15: Results go their way
- 2026 World Cup Language 14: Goal difference
- 2026 World Cup Language 13: Ends scoring goal drought
- 2026 World Cup Language 12: Shrug off
- 2026 World Cup Language 11: Thumping strike
- 2026 World Cup Language 10: Statement win
- 2026 World Cup Language 9: One-way traffic
- 2026 World Cup Language 8: Gift
- 2026 World Cup Language 7: Re-taken penalty
- 2026 World Cup Language 6: A stunner
- 2026 World Cup Language 5: Hold to a draw
- 2026 World Cup language 4: Run riot
- 2026 World Cup Language 3: Lob over the keeper
- 2026 World Cup Language 2: Brace
- 2026 World Cup Language: To be dismissed
- 2026 World Cup in numbers
- 2026 World Cup in numbers (quiz)
- 2026 World Cup favourites, dark horses and flops
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