Julio Enciso, 22, born in Caaguazú, entered the 2026 World Cup having just recovered from an injury and left as a legend.
It was he who scored the goal that put Paraguay ahead against Germany — the very goal that pushed the match to penalties and changed the history of Paraguayan football forever. 🇵🇾
When it was all over and the microphones came closer, Enciso could not hold back the tears. “Honestly, this is the best day of my life”, he said in a choked voice. “I’m sending a kiss to heaven to my grandfather — he must surely be proud of me.” An entire stadium fell silent. A phrase that went straight to the heart. 🥹
Meanwhile, in Paraguay the president declared a holiday to celebrate. Goalkeeper Orlando Gill saved penalties, coach Gustavo Alfaro had already told them they were history. But the most human moment of the night was that: a kid crying with the whole world watching, speaking to someone who is no longer here. 💙
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