Many football fans believe the tournament has now truly come alive, with the knockout stage featuring the world’s best 32 teams battling for the 16 places available in the Round of 16.
Monday’s fixtures are expected to be among the most memorable of the Round of 32, as two pre-tournament favorites were eliminated earlier than expected.
Paraguay 1-1 Germany (Paraguay won 4-3 on penalties)
Paraguay, considered underdogs before the match, took the lead just before halftime. Julio Enciso headed home in the 42nd minute after a well-delivered cross from MatÃas Galarza.
Germany responded after the break, with Florian Wirtz setting up Kai Havertz, who scored the equalizer in the 54th minute to bring his side back into the contest.
Extra time produced few clear-cut chances. Germany thought they had found the winning goal in the 102nd minute when Jonathan Tah found the back of the net, but following a VAR review, the referee ruled the goal out after determining that Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill had been fouled in the build-up.
With the match ending 1-1 after 120 minutes, the outcome was decided by a penalty shootout. Paraguay held their nerve to win 4-3 and secure a place in the Round of 16.
The defeat marked the first time Germany have ever been eliminated from a FIFA World Cup in a penalty shootout, having previously won all four of their World Cup shootouts.
Netherlands 1-1 Morocco (Morocco won 3-2 on penalties)
Morocco pulled off another major upset by eliminating the Netherlands in a dramatic penalty shootout after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes. The Atlas Lions took the lead through Youssef En-Nesyri, but the Dutch fought back with an equalizer later in the match to force extra time.
Neither team was able to find a winner during the additional 30 minutes, sending the contest to penalties. Morocco kept their composure from the spot to claim a 3-2 victory, sealing a historic place in the Round of 16 while ending the Netherlands’ World Cup campaign much earlier than expected. The result means Morocco will now face Canada in the Round of 16, while the Dutch join Germany among the tournament’s biggest early casualties.
Brazil 2-1 Japan (After Extra Time)
Five-time world champions Brazil were pushed to the limit before booking their place in the Round of 16 with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Japan after extra time. The Japanese side produced another disciplined and energetic display, frustrating Brazil for much of the contest and forcing the match beyond the regulation 90 minutes.
With the score level at the end of normal time, Brazil’s quality eventually made the difference in extra time as they found the decisive goal to avoid what would have been one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. The victory keeps Brazil’s hopes of a record-extending sixth World Cup title alive, while Japan exit the competition after another spirited performance that earned widespread praise despite the defeat.
