Paraguay, Morocco and Brazil have all secured a spot in the Round of 16 (R16) of the ongoing 2026 FIFA World while Japan, Germany and Netherlands have all been bundled out.
Morocco booked their place in the R16 after defeating the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties following a thrilling 1-1 draw in their Round of 32 encounter.
The match looked set to go the way of the Dutch after Cody Gakpo broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute.
Gakpo finished calmly after being set up by Crysencio Summerville, giving the Netherlands a deserved advantage after a tense and closely contested game.
Morocco struggled to create clear chances for much of the match but remained determined and disciplined.
Defender Ismael Diop had earlier gone into the referee’s book after receiving a yellow card, but he later redeemed himself in dramatic fashion.
Deep into stoppage time, at 90+1 minutes, Diop rose to score the equaliser from a pass by Chadi Talbi, sending Moroccan supporters into celebration and forcing the game into a penalty shootout.
The shootout proved to be a test of nerves for both sides.
Teun Koopmeiners converted the Netherlands’ opening penalty, while Nabil El Aynaoui missed Morocco’s first effort.
However, the Dutch failed to take advantage as Justin Kluivert saw his spot kick saved.
Soufiane Rahimi restored parity for Morocco before Wout Weghorst scored for the Netherlands.
Talbi then kept Morocco in contention with a successful kick, while Quinten Timber failed to convert for the Dutch.
The Paris Saint-Germain and UEFA Champions League winner, Achraf Hakimi, also missed for Morocco, leaving the contest finely balanced.
The pressure increased further when Summerville was unable to find the net for the Netherlands.
Ibrahim Saibari then stepped forward and calmly converted the decisive penalty, sealing a 3-2 shootout victory for Morocco and completing an impressive comeback.
The result highlighted Morocco’s fighting spirit and ability to perform under pressure. After trailing for most of the second half, they showed resilience to score late and held their composure in the shootout.
For Netherlands, it was a disappointing exit after controlling large periods of the game.Their inability to finish off the contest in regulation time and missed penalties ultimately proved costly.
Morocco will now carry renewed confidence into the Round of 16 after producing one of the most dramatic comebacks of the knockout stage.
World Cup: Paraguay stun Germany on penalties to reach R16
Similarly, Paraguay produced one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating Germany 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in their Round of 32 encounter.
The dramatic contest ended Germany’s campaign and marked a historic moment, as it was the first time the four-time world champions had ever lost a penalty shootout in FIFA World Cup history.
Paraguay took the lead in the 42nd minute through Julio Enciso, who finished calmly after receiving a fine pass from Matias Galarza to put the South Americans ahead before halftime.
Germany returned from the break with renewed determination and found the equaliser in the 54th minute.
Kai Havertz converted from close range after being set up by Florian Wirtz, bringing the Europeans back into the contest.
Both teams continued to push for a winner, but neither side could find the decisive goal in regulation time, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
The shootout proved tense and dramatic. Havertz had an opportunity to give Germany an advantage but missed his penalty, while Mauricio converted Paraguay’s opening kick.
Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala successfully scored for Germany, while Gabriel Gomez and Galarza Matías kept Paraguay level.
Germany’s Nick Woltemade also failed from the spot, while Antonio Sanabria missed for Paraguay, keeping the contest finely balanced.
Nadiem Amiri converted Germany’s fifth penalty, but Fabian Balbuena missed for Paraguay, offering Germany hope.
However, Jonathan Tah also failed to score for the Germans, allowing Juan Canale to step up and seal a famous victory for Paraguay.
Paraguay eventually triumphed 4-3 in the shootout, sending their supporters into celebration and booking a place in the Round of 16.
For Germany, the defeat will be particularly painful as they surrendered a strong comeback and suffered their first-ever World Cup penalty shootout loss, ending their hopes of another title challenge.
Paraguay, meanwhile, showed resilience, discipline and composure under pressure, qualities that could make them a difficult opponent in the next stage of the tournament.
World Cup: Martinelli’s late strike sends Brazil past Japan 2-1
Meanwhile, Brazil had earlier secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Japan in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 after a late Gabriel Martinelli winner.
The match at Houston’s NRG Stadium produced an entertaining contest, with Japan pushing Brazil throughout the knockout encounter.
Brazil started with Alisson Becker, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães and Vinícius Júnior.
Japan featured Zion Suzuki, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Hiroki Ito, Ritsu Doan, Kaishu Sano and Ayase Ueda.
Japan stunned the five-time champions in the 29th minute through Kaishu Sano’s composed finish inside the penalty area.
Sano reacted quickly after finding space and fired past Alisson to give Japan a deserved early advantage.
Brazil dominated possession afterwards but struggled to break Japan’s disciplined defensive shape before half-time.
Vinícius Júnior threatened repeatedly, but Japan’s compact backline prevented Brazil from creating clear openings.
The South Americans returned strongly after the interval, increasing pressure on Japan’s defence.
Their persistence paid off in the 55th minute when Casemiro headed in Brazil’s equaliser.
The midfielder connected with Gabriel’s delivery, restoring hope for Brazil after Japan’s impressive first-half display.
Japan continued fighting, with their counter-attacks causing problems for Brazil’s defenders late in the match.
Brazil introduced Gabriel Martinelli, whose impact eventually changed the outcome of the thrilling contest.
In stoppage time, Martinelli scored in the 96th minute to complete Brazil’s comeback victory.
The Arsenal forward finished a Bruno Guimarães pass, sending Brazil into the next round.
Japan left the tournament with credit after pushing Brazil to the limit with a courageous performance.
Brazil now advances after surviving a major test from a technically gifted Japanese side.