The 2026 World Cup delivered its most dramatic day yet on Monday, as Paraguay shocked Germany, Morocco survived a penalty thriller against the Netherlands, and Brazil escaped Japan with a final minute winner. The first full day of Round of 32 action across North America brought penalties, heartbreak, late goals, and one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far.
Paraguay Turns Belief Into a World Cup Shock
Paraguay produced the result of the day by knocking Germany out of the World Cup on penalties after a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes. The South Americans advanced 4-3 in the shootout, sending the four-time world champions home in stunning fashion.
It was also a historic defeat for Germany. For the first time, the Germans lost a World Cup match on penalties, ending one of the sport’s most famous knockout records.
Paraguay struck first after Germany began to control much of the ball. Julio Enciso gave Paraguay a surprise lead with a headed goal from the penalty spot, taking advantage of poor defending that left him open in the middle of the area. His finish sent Paraguay into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
Germany pushed hard after the break and finally found an equalizer through Kai Havertz. Florian Wirtz whipped a cross into the box, and Havertz rose above the defense to guide a header into the net. The goal made it 1-1 and shifted momentum back toward Germany.
VAR Drama Adds Another Twist
Germany thought it had completed the comeback in extra time when Jonathan Tah powered a header past Orlando Gill in the 102nd minute. The celebration did not last long. After a VAR review, referee Jalal Jayed ruled that Waldermar Anton had fouled Gill while the corner was in the air, and the goal was disallowed.
That decision kept Paraguay alive and sent the match to penalties. Gill became the hero early in the shootout by saving Havertz’s first attempt. Germany later found new hope when Antonio Sanabria missed a chance to win it for Paraguay and Manuel Neuer saved Fabían Balbuena’s penalty.
But Germany could not take advantage. Tah blasted his sudden death penalty over the bar, giving Paraguay one more chance. José Canale stepped up and buried his shot, sending Paraguay through and leaving German players in disbelief.
Paraguay will now face the winner of France and Sweden in the Round of 16.
Morocco Survives a Punishing Battle
Morocco also moved into the Round of 16 after defeating the Netherlands on penalties in Monterrey. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with Morocco winning the shootout 3-2.
The Atlas Lions controlled much of the early play and created the better chances. Achraf Hakimi was especially dangerous on the right side, forcing a strong save from Bart Verbruggen and later hitting the bar from a tight angle.
The Dutch struggled to create chances for much of the match, but they found a breakthrough in the 72nd minute. After a quick counterattack, Cody Gakpo finished calmly to give the Netherlands a 1-0 lead.
The moment carried heavy emotion. Gakpo had announced before the match that his partner had suffered a miscarriage during the World Cup. His teammates ran to celebrate with him as he broke down in tears after scoring.
Morocco Answers When It Matters Most
Morocco refused to fade. As time ran out, Issa Diop headed in a late equalizer from a Chemsdine Talbi cross, sending Moroccan fans into wild celebration and pushing the match into extra time.
The best chance of extra time came when Soufiane Rahimi broke in alone on goal, only for Verbruggen to make one of the saves of the tournament. After that, both teams seemed ready for penalties.
The shootout was filled with misses and momentum swings. Teun Koopmeiners scored first for the Netherlands, while Neil El Aynaoui hit the bar for Morocco. Justin Kluivert then struck the post, and Rahimi’s penalty somehow found its way in after Verbruggen appeared to save it but knocked the ball back into his own goal.
Yassine Bounou made the decisive save against Crysencio Summerville, giving Ismael Saibari the chance to win it. Saibari finished into the bottom left corner, sending Morocco into a Round of 16 meeting with Canada on July 4.
Brazil Escapes Japan at the Final Moment
Brazil avoided its own upset scare with a 2-1 win over Japan in Houston. The five-time world champions needed a final minute goal from Gabriel Martinelli to break Japanese hearts and keep their tournament alive.
Japan stunned Brazil in the 29th minute when Kaishu Sano scored from outside the box. His low strike beat Alisson and found the bottom left corner, giving Japan a 1-0 lead and handing Brazil its first conceded goal since the opening group match against Morocco.
Brazil came out stronger after halftime. Bruno Guimarães forced a strong save from Zion Suzuki, and Japan’s defense was soon under heavy pressure. Casemiro finally equalized in the 56th minute, heading in from a Gabriel Magalhães cross.
Vinicius Junior nearly gave Brazil the lead moments later with a brilliant run through the Japanese defense, but Suzuki got a hand to his toe-poked effort and pushed it onto the post.
Japan defended bravely for the next 30 minutes, but Brazil finally found the winner in the final minute. After Japan gave the ball away near the edge of the box, Guimarães slipped a pass to Martinelli, who fired across goal. Suzuki touched the shot, but the ball bounced in off the post.
Brazil will face the winner of Ivory Coast and Norway in the Round of 16 on July 5 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
A Knockout Day That Had Everything
Monday’s World Cup action showed exactly why knockout football carries so much drama. Paraguay made history by eliminating Germany, Morocco showed resilience in a tense shootout, and Brazil survived only after a last minute moment of quality. With the Round of 32 now fully underway, the tournament has already delivered shock, emotion, and unforgettable finishes.
