The World Cup knockout stage is already delivering the kind of drama the expanded format promised.
With the 2026 tournament now featuring 48 teams and a new Round of 32, the road to the final has become longer, harsher and far less forgiving. According to FIFA, this is the first World Cup with 48 teams and three host countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States.
For those who went to bed before the late action, Monday night and the early hours of Tuesday brought missed penalties, late goals, one major European exit and another famous Moroccan celebration.
Morocco survive wild shootout against the Netherlands
Morocco produced the night’s final act, beating the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Guadalupe, near Monterrey.
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According to AP’s report, carried by The Washington Post, Ismael Saibari scored the decisive penalty as Morocco sent the Netherlands to their earliest World Cup exit after a 1-1 draw on Monday night.
The Dutch had looked on course to advance when Cody Gakpo struck in the 72nd minute. Morocco, however, forced extra time through Issa Diop’s stoppage-time equaliser in the 91st minute.
The shootout was anything but clean. Neil El Aynaoui hit the bar, Justin Kluivert hit the post, Quinten Timber dragged his effort wide and Achraf Hakimi also struck the woodwork. Then Yassine Bounou kept Morocco alive by saving from Crysencio Summerville, before Saibari finished the job.
According to The Guardian’s live coverage, all three games on the day went beyond 90 minutes, two went to penalties, and two European sides were sent home. The same report confirmed that Morocco will face Canada in Houston on July 4.
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Germany fall in historic Paraguay upset
The biggest shock of the round came earlier in Boston, where Paraguay knocked out Germany after a 1-1 draw and a 4-3 win on penalties.
Germany dominated long spells of the match, but Paraguay struck first through Julio Enciso before Kai Havertz levelled in the second half. Extra time brought more German pressure, including a Jonathan Tah header that was ruled out after a VAR review.
According to The Guardian’s match report by Barney Ronay, Germany lost their first World Cup shootout and Paraguay celebrated one of the greatest results in their football history.
Described by Sky Sports as a stunning last-32 exit for the four-time world champions, the defeat was sealed after Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Tah all missed in the shootout.
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For Paraguay, it was a night of discipline, patience and nerve. For Germany, it was another brutal tournament ending, and one that will inevitably raise fresh questions around Julian Nagelsmann and the direction of the national team.
Brazil escape Japan after late Martinelli winner
Brazil also came dangerously close to an early exit.
Japan led 1-0 at half-time in Houston after Kaishu Sano punished a mistake from Danilo, and for a while Brazil looked slow, heavy and short of ideas.
But Carlo Ancelotti’s side changed shape after the break and gradually turned the match around. Casemiro headed in the equaliser before Gabriel Martinelli scored deep into stoppage time to secure a 2-1 victory.
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According to The Guardian’s report on Brazil’s comeback, the introduction of Endrick and a tactical switch helped transform Brazil’s second-half performance, with Martinelli scoring the winner in the 95th minute.
Japan once again left a World Cup knockout match with regret. Their first-half performance was composed and brave, but Brazil’s pressure eventually told.
Brazil now move on to face the winner of Côte d’Ivoire against Norway.
Canada keep the home dream alive
Canada had already set the tone for the knockout stage by beating South Africa 1-0 in Inglewood on Sunday.
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The match looked set for extra time before Stephen Eustáquio scored in the second minute of stoppage time, giving Canada their first World Cup knockout victory.
According to Sky Sports’ report by Patrick Rowe, Eustáquio’s late winner made Canada the first team to book a place in the last 16.
AP also reported, via its match report, that Canada reached the round of 16 for the first time in three World Cup appearances, with Alphonso Davies returning from injury in the 75th minute.
That win now carries even more weight. Canada know their next opponent will be Morocco, fresh from a draining but emotional win over the Netherlands.
The knockout stage is already ruthless
The Round of 32 began with Canada’s 1-0 win over South Africa, followed by Brazil’s 2-1 victory over Japan, Paraguay’s penalty win over Germany and Morocco’s shootout triumph against the Netherlands.
According to The Sporting News’ updated bracket, the remaining Round of 32 fixtures include France against Sweden, Ivory Coast against Norway, Mexico against Ecuador, England against DR Congo, the United States against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium against Senegal, Portugal against Croatia, Spain against Austria, Switzerland against Algeria, Argentina against Cape Verde, Colombia against Ghana and Australia against Egypt.
The message from the first knockout nights is already clear: reputation is no protection now.
