Brazil, Morocco, Paraguay advance in World Cup Round of 32

Morocco and Paraguay advanced to the Round of 16 after dramatic penalty shootout victories, while Brazil secured a late comeback win against Japan in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32.

Brazil edges Japan with late winner

In the early kick-off at Houston Stadium, Brazil rallied from a goal down to defeat Japan 2-1. Kaishu Sano put Japan ahead just before the half-hour, intercepting the ball on the halfway line and firing into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. Casemiro headed home the equalizer for Brazil, and with extra time looming, Bruno Guimaraes faked a shot and slipped in Gabriel Martinelli, whose strike went in off the inside of the upright in the 89th minute. Brazil will now face the winner of Côte d'Ivoire vs Norway.

Paraguay ends Germany's shootout streak

Germany had never lost a FIFA World Cup penalty shootout, but that streak ended as Paraguay prevailed 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Julio Enciso, the shortest player on the pitch, headed Paraguay ahead from a corner. Kai Havertz equalized for Germany, diverting Florian Wirtz's cross into the bottom corner with his back to goal. After a second-half header from Jonathan Tah was ruled out, the match went to penalties. Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill repelled two German penalties, but Manuel Neuer inspired a fightback to keep Germany alive. Eventually, Jose Canale kept his cool to score the decisive spot-kick, sending Paraguay through to face the winner of France vs Sweden.

Morocco repeats penalty heroics against Netherlands

Morocco once again excelled in a shootout, defeating the Netherlands 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Cody Gakpo had given the Netherlands the lead with a goal he described as the biggest of his professional career, responding to a personal tragedy. Issa Diop headed a deserved equalizer for Morocco just before full-time. After a scoreless extra time, the match went to penalties. Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen saved one, but Morocco's Yassine Bounou stopped two to send Morocco through to a meeting with Canada.

Notable records and statistics

Bruno Guimaraes has provided four assists in four appearances in North America, equaling the record for most assists in a single World Cup this century, previously held by Michael Ballack (2002), Francesco Totti (2006), and Juan Cuadrado (2014). Casemiro equaled the World Cup record for appearances without defeat, matching Zagallo and Julio Olarticoechea with 12. Kai Havertz became the first German to score a header with his back to goal since Uwe Seeler in the 1970 World Cup quarter-final against England. Cody Gakpo has now scored six goals in nine World Cup games, the most by a Dutch player since Johnny Rep's seven goals in the 1970s.

Upcoming Round of 16 matches

The Round of 16 continues on June 30 with three matches: Côte d'Ivoire vs Norway (13:00 local time), France vs Sweden (17:00), and Mexico vs Ecuador (21:00).