[Saba Sports News] After a nail-biting penalty shootout, Paraguay knocked four-time World Cup winners Germany out in the Round of 32, pulling off a huge upset. Twenty-six-year-old Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill shot to instant fame after saving two German spot kicks in the shootout, making him the first goalkeeper in World Cup history to eliminate Germany via a penalty shootout. Prior to this fixture, the shot-stopper playing in the Argentine league was largely unknown to most fans. Throughout the group stage, Gill registered 17 saves, ranking among the tournament’s top goalkeepers. He also excelled at commanding his penalty area; whenever his side adopted a high defensive line, he would rush off his line to act as a sweeper keeper. Thanks to his consistent displays, FIFA named him the best goalkeeper of the group stage in its official power rankings, edging out a host of world-renowned shot-stoppers.
The editor believes that the entire Paraguay squad hopes Gill can keep up his stellar form in the upcoming matches, and clubs across European football have already set their sights on the 26-year-old goalkeeper. Performing on the world’s top stage of the World Cup, Orlando Gill has proven to the whole globe that he possesses the ability to rank among the world’s elite goalkeepers.