Related videos:
On Monday, June 29, it will be remembered in the history of the as one of the most dramatic days of the knockout stage: Brazil escaped in the final second against Japan, Paraguay pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament by eliminating Germany in penalties, and Morocco once again took down a European powerhouse.
Brazil, on the edge
The Canarinha needed until the 95th minute to overcome Japan 2-1 at NRG Stadium in Houston, in a match that they never fully controlled.
It was Kaishu Sano who opened the scoring for the Japanese, taking advantage of a Brazilian defensive error in the 29th minute that highlighted the shortcomings of a team that struggled to find their rhythm in the first half.
Carlo Ancelotti reacted during halftime with the introduction of Endrick, which invigorated the attack and allowed Brazil to push forward with greater danger.
Casemiro equalized with a header in the 56th minute, although he had to leave the field injured shortly after, adding more uncertainty to the Brazilian outlook.
When extra time seemed inevitable, Gabriel Martinelli received a pass from Endrick and beat the goalkeeper Suzuki to secure qualification in the final play of the match.
Brazil, which dominated with 69% possession and 18 shots, advances to the round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup and will await the winner of the match between Ivory Coast and Norway, scheduled for this afternoon.
Paraguay makes history
The major shock of the day came from Gillette Stadium in Boston, where Paraguay eliminated Germany in penalties with a score of 4-3, after 120 minutes of a 1-1 draw.
Julio Enciso put the Albirroja ahead with a header following a high recovery, and Kai Havertz responded in kind to level the match.
In extra time, Jonathan Tah scored what seemed to be the qualifying goal for Germany, but the goal was disallowed and the suspense extended to the penalty shootout.
From the penalty spot, Havertz and Woltemade missed for Germany, while only Antonio Sanabria failed for Paraguay. José Canales scored the final shot to seal the 4-3.
It is the first time in history that Germany has lost a penalty shootout in a World Cup, an unprecedented negative milestone for the Mannschaft.
Paraguay, led by Gustavo Alfaro, returns to the knockout stage for the first time since South Africa 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals before falling to Spain. Their next opponent will be the winner of the match between France and Sweden, taking place this afternoon at MetLife Stadium.
Morocco, again
The Lions of the Atlas demonstrated that their semifinal in Qatar 2022—where they became the first African team to reach that stage—was no fluke.
Morocco eliminated the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after drawing 1-1 at the BBVA Stadium in Monterrey, in one of the most intense matches of the tournament.
Cody Gakpo opened the scoring for the Oranje in the 72nd minute, in an emotionally charged goal: the Liverpool forward scored just days after publicly announcing the loss of the baby he was expecting with his partner.
When the Dutch qualification seemed secure, Issa Diop appeared in stoppage time to equalize with a header and force extra time.
The goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was crucial in the penalties by saving Summerville's shot, and Ismael Saibari scored the decisive goal for a 3-2 victory for Morocco.
Morocco will face Canada, which had already eliminated South Africa on Sunday with a last-minute goal.
Filed under: