We’re just four games into the knockout round of the 2026 World Cup, but something shifted.
The opening matches of the Round of 32 have been absolutely incredible.
If that’s any indication — with a pair of penalty shootouts and two matches decided in stoppage time already in the books — we’re in for a very, very exciting rest of the way during the World Cup.
Advertisement
Let’s start with Canada, which was both the first game in the knockout round and somehow the least exciting.
Stephen Eustáquito lifted Canada to a 1-0 win over South Africa on Sunday with a huge goal in the 92nd minute of their match in Southern California. He got it in from outside of the box, too, after a headed clearance went right to him with plenty of room to work with after what was a very slow contest up until that point.
This was already Canada’s deepest World Cup run. Now, they’re into the Round of 16 and will take on Morocco on July 4 in Houston.
Remember, this late game-winner was somehow the most boring finish of the opening two days. It’s hard to call that finish boring.
Advertisement
Paraguay pulls off the upset
Monday’s match between Paraguay and Germany was incredibly dramatic, and ended with another stunning early exit for the Germans.
Paraguay struck first in the 42nd minute off a Julio Enciso header, though Germany tied the match back up early in the second half. The Albirroja defense locked down from then on, and had an incredible eight blocks to stop Germany from getting the win.
Germany nearly scored in the 102nd minute, too, but a VAR review overturned a goal after a foul from Waldemar Anton.
Eventually, that sent the match into a shootout where Paraguay was able to snag the win. That marked Germany’s first-ever penalty shootout loss in the World Cup, and yet another early exit for the nation that won the tournament back in 2014.
Advertisement
While a penalty shootout is exciting enough, it only came after a lockdown game and a controversial call at the end.
Ok, now for a really fun one.
Japan looked ready to stun the Brazilians and knock them out of the tournament early after taking a 1-0 lead off a Kaishu Sano goal early on Monday afternoon. But their early advantage completely fell apart in the second half with just enough time to spare.
Gabriel Martinelli saved the day for the Brazilians and buried the game-winner in off the right post with about a minute left in stoppage time. That goal, after a bad turnover from Japan at the top of the box, completed the comeback and sent the five-time champions into the Round of 16.
Brazil was really pushing it, too, with stoppage time almost up. Though they had all of the momentum in the second half, the win was almost certainly way too close for comfort for the Brazilian fans packed into NRG Stadium.
Advertisement
Morocco rallies to beat the Netherlands
And finally, it’s time to talk about Morocco.
The Netherlands looked like they were going to steal this one away on Monday night after a goal from Cody Gakpo in the 72nd minute. That came just two days after Gapko and his girlfriend announced the death of their unborn son, too, which only added to the special, emotional moment for him on the field after the goal.
But, after what seemed like the perfect ending, the Netherlands let the win slip away. Issa Diop got the equalizer in with his head right as stoppage time began to completely flip the game in Mexico around.
Eventually, the Moroccans secured the win in penalty kicks when striker Ismael Saibari finished it off. That sent them into the next round to take on Canada.
Advertisement
Pretty great start, right? We’ll see what Tuesday’s slate of games brings.
Read the full article here