Morocco and Paraguay advanced to the Round of 16 after dramatic penalty shootout victories over the Netherlands and Germany, while Brazil needed a late winner to overcome Japan in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32.
Brazil 2-1 Japan
Brazil left it late to avoid a major upset as Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner sealed a hard-fought victory over Japan.
The Samurai Blue looked set to dump the five-time world champions out of the tournament for the first time before the Round of 16 since 1966 after Kaishu Sano opened the scoring midway through the first half. Sano won possession near the halfway line before driving forward and firing into the bottom corner.
Brazil responded through Casemiro, who headed home the equaliser, but Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki produced a string of outstanding saves to keep his side in the contest.
With extra time looming, Bruno Guimaraes produced a moment of brilliance, disguising his intentions before slipping Martinelli through on goal. The Arsenal winger calmly finished via the inside of the post to send Brazil through, where they will face either Côte d’Ivoire or Norway.
Germany 1-1 Paraguay (Paraguay win 4-3 on penalties)
Paraguay knocked out Germany on penalties to reach the Round of 16, handing the four-time world champions their first-ever defeat in a FIFA World Cup shootout.
Julio Enciso gave Paraguay the lead with a superb header despite being surrounded by Germany’s towering defenders.
Germany levelled through Kai Havertz, who cleverly redirected Florian Wirtz’s cross into the bottom corner. Jonathan Tah thought he had won it with another header, but the effort was ruled out.
The match was eventually decided from the penalty spot. Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill made two crucial saves to put his side in control before Manuel Neuer kept Germany alive with saves of his own.
However, Jose Canale converted the decisive penalty to seal a famous victory for Gustavo Alfaro’s side, who will face either France or Sweden in the next round.
Netherlands 1-1 Morocco (Morocco win 3-2 on penalties)
Morocco booked their place in the Round of 16 after edging the Netherlands in another dramatic penalty shootout.
The Dutch looked set to progress after Cody Gakpo gave them the lead, but Morocco refused to give up and found a deserved equaliser in stoppage time when Issa Diop headed home.
Neither side could find a winner during extra time, sending the tie to penalties.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou once again proved Morocco’s hero, saving two spot-kicks to guide the Atlas Lions to victory, despite Bart Verbruggen also making a save for the Netherlands.
Morocco will now take on Canada for a place in the quarter-finals.
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