Four-time champions Germany and European heavyweights the Netherlands suffered dramatic exits from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after both were beaten on penalties in thrilling Round of 32 encounters, paving the way for underdogs Paraguay and Morocco to reach the last 16.
Germany’s hopes of ending a 12-year wait for another World Cup title came to a heartbreaking end in Foxborough, where Paraguay held Julian Nagelsmann’s side to a 1-1 draw before prevailing 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout.
Julio Enciso had given Paraguay a surprise first-half lead, but Kai Havertz restored parity shortly after the restart. Germany thought they had snatched victory in extra time when Jonathan Tah headed home from a corner, only for the effort to be ruled out after a VAR review for a foul in the build-up.
The Germans paid dearly for missed spot-kicks, with Havertz, Nick Woltemade and Tah all failing from the spot as José Canale converted the decisive penalty to send Paraguay into the Round of 16 for a date with either France or Sweden. The defeat marked Germany’s first-ever World Cup penalty shootout loss.
In Monterrey, Morocco produced another memorable World Cup performance by edging the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after a gripping 1-1 draw.
The Dutch appeared destined for victory after Cody Gakpo broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute, but Issa Diop’s dramatic stoppage-time equaliser forced extra time. With neither side able to find a winner, Morocco held their nerve in the shootout as goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made the decisive save before Ismael Saibari fired home the winning penalty. Morocco will now face co-hosts Canada in the last 16.
Attention now shifts to Wednesday’s Round of 32 fixtures, where England will face tournament surprise package Democratic Republic of Congo in what promises to be one of the competition’s most intriguing contests.
England topped Group L to reach the knockout phase, while DR Congo impressed by progressing from a difficult Group K to set up a historic meeting with the Three Lions. Victory for either side will secure a place in the Round of 16, where Mexico or Ecuador await.
Elsewhere, the knockout stage continues with France taking on Sweden, Ivory Coast meeting Norway, Belgium facing Senegal, while Spain, Portugal and Argentina are all scheduled to begin their quest for a place in the last 16 later this week.