Paraguay stuns Germany on penalties to reach 2026 World Cup last 16

Jose Canale was not part of Paraguay's starting 11 in either of their first two World Cup matches, but he was handed a first start on Monday in a round-of-32 clash against Germany.

Paraguay and Germany played out a 1-1 draw after extra time, with Julio Enciso giving Paraguay the lead in the 42nd minute when he rose unmarked to head in a cross following a move involving Miguel Almiron and Matias Galarza.

Germany responded in the 52nd minute as Kai Havertz met a Florian Wirtz cross and redirected a header past goalkeeper Orlando Gill to level the scoring.

The game remained tight through extra time, with Jonathan Tah briefly believing he had scored Germany's winner in the 102nd minute, only for the goal to be disallowed after VAR ruled a foul on Gill in the build-up.

Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill then became decisive in the shootout, saving two penalties, while Germany missed three of their six attempts. In sudden death, Tah fired his effort over the crossbar before Canale stepped up and converted the winning kick to seal a 4-3 shootout victory.

The result sent Paraguay into the round of 16, where they will face the winner of France against Sweden, while Germany exited the tournament after yet another disappointing showpiece showing for the four time World Champions for the third edition running.

Brazil had to respond after a shock setback in the 29th minute, when Japan's Kaishu Sano pounced on a misplaced Danilo pass, drove forward and drilled a low finish past Alisson Becker to give the Samurai Blue the lead.

Japan then dropped into a compact defensive shape and frustrated Brazil for long spells, closing gaps quickly and forcing the five-time champions into wide areas. Their back line and midfield worked in cohesion, repeatedly breaking up passes and limiting clear chance opportunities for the South Americans in the first half.

Brazil increased the tempo after the break and began to create sustained pressure. Casemiro missed a clear opportunity from close range but made amends in the 56th minute, rising at the far post to head in Gabriel Magalhaes' cross and bring the match level.

The winner came deep into stoppage time as Bruno Guimaraes threaded a precise pass into Gabriel Martinelli, who finished calmly inside the box in the 95th minute. The late strike sealed a 2–1 comeback victory for Brazil, sending them into the round of 16 where they will face either Norway or Cote d'Ivoire.

In the final match of the day, Morocco reached the round of 16 at the World Cup after beating the Netherlands 3–2 on penalties following a 1–1 draw after extra time.

Cody Gakpo put the Dutch ahead in the 72nd minute, finishing from close range after a tight first half produced few clear chances. Morocco pushed forward late and found the equalizer in stoppage time, when Issa Diop headed in his first international goal to force extra time.

Morocco looked more dangerous in the additional period, but Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen denied Soufiane Rahimi with a key save. The match went to penalties, where the experienced Bounou saved Crysencio Summerville's attempt before Ismael Saibari converted the decisive kick to send Morocco through to the last 16 as the North Africans continue to impress following a fourth place finish in Qatar nearly four years ago.