Brazil Survive as Morocco and Paraguay Win Thrilling Shootouts to Reach FIFA World Cup Last 16

Brazil needed a dramatic late winner to overcome Japan, while Morocco and Paraguay held their nerve in penalty shootouts to eliminate the Netherlands and Germany respectively as another pulsating day of FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 action produced unforgettable knockout drama.

• Brazil 2-1 Japan: Martinelli Sends Seleção Through

Brazil secured their place in the Round of 16 after edging a resilient Japan 2-1 at Houston Stadium, but the five-time world champions were forced to dig deep to keep their World Cup dream alive.

The Samurai Blue looked poised to produce one of the tournament’s biggest shocks, threatening to deny Brazil a place among the final 16 for the first time in 60 years.Japan broke the deadlock just before the half-hour mark when Kaishu Sano intercepted possession near the halfway line before surging forward and drilling a superb finish into the bottom corner.

Brazil gradually wrestled back control and levelled through Casemiro, whose powerful header restored parity. The Seleção continued to press, with Vinícius Júnior denied by an outstanding save from Zion Suzuki before seeing his follow-up effort strike the post.

As extra time beckoned, Bruno Guimarães produced a moment of brilliance, disguising his intentions before slipping a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Gabriel Martinelli, who coolly slotted home off the inside of the post to seal a dramatic victory.

Brazil will now face the winners of the clash between Côte d’Ivoire and Norway.

• Germany 1-1 Paraguay (3-4 pens): Gill Ends Germany’s Perfect Shootout Record

Paraguay produced one of the biggest upsets of the Round of 32, defeating Germany 4-3 on penalties after a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Boston Stadium.

The South Americans struck first through Julio Enciso, whose perfectly placed header beat Germany’s towering defence. Germany responded through Kai Havertz, who cleverly redirected Florian Wirtz’s cross into the bottom corner.

A second-half header from Jonathan Tah was ruled out, and with neither side able to find a winner after extra time, penalties decided the contest.

Goalkeeper Orlando Gill emerged as Paraguay’s hero with two crucial saves. Although Manuel Neuer sparked hopes of a comeback with important stops of his own, José Canale converted the decisive penalty to hand Germany their first-ever FIFA World Cup shootout defeat and send Paraguay into a last-16 meeting with the winners of France versus Sweden.

• Netherlands 1-1 Morocco (2-3 pens): Bounou Delivers

Another Penalty MasterclassMorocco continued their remarkable World Cup journey by eliminating the Netherlands on penalties after an absorbing 1-1 draw at Monterrey Stadium.

The Dutch appeared destined for victory after Cody Gakpo put them ahead, but Morocco rescued the contest deep into stoppage time when Issa Diop powered home a dramatic equalising header.

Neither side could find a breakthrough during extra time, sending the contest to penalties, where goalkeeper Yassine Bounou once again rose to the occasion. After Bart Verbruggen made one save for the Dutch, Bounou denied two penalties to secure a 3-2 shootout victory.

The Moroccan shot-stopper, whose penalty heroics became iconic at the 2022 World Cup, once again proved the difference as the Atlas Lions advanced to the Round of 16, where Canada await in another intriguing knockout encounter.