World Cup 2026 Recap: Paraguay, Brazil, Morocco Reach Round of 16

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Paraguay, Brazil, and Morocco booked their places in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after winning their Round of 32 matches on Tuesday, June 30. Paraguay stunned Germany in a penalty shootout, Brazil came from behind to beat Japan 2-1, while Morocco edged the Netherlands on penalties after a dramatic draw.

Paraguay Upsets Germany on Penalties

Paraguay defeated Germany 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the teams played to a 1-1 draw through extra time at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

The result sends Paraguay into the Round of 16, where they will face the winner of France versus Sweden. Germany, meanwhile, exited the tournament early once again, marking a third consecutive World Cup in which they have failed to progress beyond the first knockout round.

Paraguay broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute through Julio Enciso. Miguel Almiron's corner was spilled by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer before Damian Bobadilla recovered the loose ball and set up Matias Galarza, whose cross was headed home by Enciso.

Germany equalized nine minutes into the second half when Florian Wirtz delivered a cross for Kai Havertz to head past Orlando Gill.

The Germans dominated much of the remainder of the match and thought they had taken the lead in the 102nd minute through Jonathan Tah, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review for a foul on Gill in the buildup.

The match went to penalties, where Havertz missed Germany's opening kick. Neuer kept his side alive by saving attempts from Antonio Sanabria and Fabian Balbuena, but Jonathan Tah also failed to convert before Jose Canale calmly scored the decisive penalty to seal Paraguay's victory.

Brazil Stages Comeback Against Japan

Brazil recovered from an early deficit to defeat Japan 2-1 at Houston Stadium in the United States and secure a place in the Round of 16.

The Selecao will next face the winner of the match between Ivory Coast and Norway, while Japan's World Cup campaign ended in the Round of 32.

Japan took the lead in the 29th minute through a brilliant solo effort by Kaishu Sano. The midfielder carried the ball from near the halfway line, dribbled past several Brazilian defenders, and fired a low shot from outside the penalty area that beat Alisson Becker.

Despite dominating possession, Brazil went into halftime trailing 1-0.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti responded by introducing Endrick for Lucas Paqueta at the start of the second half, a substitution that added greater attacking threat.

Brazil equalized in the 54th minute when Casemiro headed home a cross from Gabriel Magalhaes.

The five-time world champions continued to push for a winner. Vinicius Junior nearly put Brazil ahead two minutes later, but his effort struck the post after being tipped by Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.

The breakthrough finally came deep into stoppage time. In the 95th minute, substitute Gabriel Martinelli collected a pass from Bruno Guimaraes inside the penalty area before firing past Suzuki from close range to complete Brazil's comeback.

Morocco Eliminates the Netherlands

Morocco also advanced to the Round of 16 after defeating the Netherlands 4-3 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time at Monterrey Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The Netherlands took the lead in the 72nd minute when Cody Gakpo received a pass inside the penalty area and drilled a low shot beyond Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

Morocco, however, controlled much of the possession and continued searching for an equalizer. Mohamed Ouahbi's side threatened repeatedly through Achraf Hakimi, Bilal El Khannouss, and Ayyoub Bouaddi, while Hakimi also struck the crossbar early in the second half.

Their persistence paid off in the first minute of second-half stoppage time. Issa Diop headed in a lofted cross from Chemsdine Talbi to force extra time.

Both sides created chances during the additional 30 minutes. Morocco came closest in the 96th minute when Soufiane Rahimi's powerful effort was brilliantly saved by Bart Verbruggen, while the Netherlands also threatened through a series of crosses that Morocco's defense managed to repel.

The match was ultimately decided on penalties, with Morocco prevailing 4-3.

Teun Koopmeiners and Wout Weghorst converted their penalties for the Netherlands, but Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber, and Crysencio Summerville all failed to score.

For Morocco, Soufiane Rahimi, Chemsdine Talbi, and Ismael Saibari found the net. Although Neil El Aynaoui and Achraf Hakimi missed from the spot, Saibari's successful final penalty secured victory for the Atlas Lions and sent them into the Round of 16.

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