A dramatic night of knockout football delivered massive upsets, penalty shootout heartbreak, and a last-gasp winner as the tournament moved into its next phase.
Paraguay Stuns Germany in Penalty Shootout
In a major upset in Foxborough, Massachusetts, Paraguay eliminated four-time champions Germany after a 1-1 draw ended in a 4-3 penalty shootout victory. Paraguay took an early lead in the 42nd minute when Julio Enciso headed home a cross from Matías Galarza, punishing a German side that had dominated possession but failed to create clear openings.
Germany responded in the 54th minute through Kai Havertz, who converted a header assisted by Florian Wirtz. The match remained deadlocked through extra time, highlighted by a disallowed German goal when a VAR review overturned a Jonathan Tah header for a foul on the Paraguayan goalkeeper. Ultimately, Germany’s clinical edge vanished from the spot, missing three penalties to exit the tournament prematurely.
Morocco Ends Dutch Campaign via Shootout
Morocco secured a historic victory over the Netherlands, winning 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw. The result marks the earliest World Cup exit for the Dutch side in recent history.
Cody Gakpo appeared to have secured a victory for the Netherlands when he scored in the 72nd minute, but Morocco refused to yield. Issa Diop rescued the Moroccan side in the 91st minute, heading in a cross from Chemsdine Talbi to force extra time. In the decisive shootout, Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou denied Crysencio Summerville, allowing Ismael Saibari to strike the winning penalty. The clash featured two of the world’s top-ranked teams, with Morocco (6th) and the Netherlands (7th) entering the match as heavyweights.
Brazil Overcomes Japan with Stoppage-Time Winner
Brazil narrowly avoided an upset against Japan, securing a 2-1 victory thanks to a dramatic 96th-minute goal by Gabriel Martinelli. Japan took a surprising early lead via Kaishu Sano during a clinical counter-attack, leaving the Brazilians searching for answers.
Brazil leveled the score after the interval when Casemiro headed home from a set-piece. As the match seemed destined for extra time, Martinelli found the net deep into stoppage time, completing a comeback that ended Japan’s tournament run in heartbreaking fashion.
Upcoming Matchups: June 30
The knockout stage continues Tuesday with the following fixtures:
- Ivory Coast vs. Norway – 1:00 PM EDT (Arlington, Texas)
- France vs. Sweden – 5:00 PM EDT (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
- Mexico vs. Ecuador – 9:00 PM EDT (Mexico City)
